Governors seek constitutional role for Traditional Rulers

In a landmark decision, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and the nation’s traditional rulers have agreed to establish a committee focused on integrating a defined constitutional role for traditional rulers in governance.

The resolution was reached during a meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday.

Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun addressed reporters after the meeting, explaining that the goal is to formally incorporate traditional rulers into the constitution to enhance governance, peace, and security nationwide. He noted that a bill currently in the National Assembly touches on this subject, and the committee’s task will be to ensure that meaningful contributions are added to strengthen the proposal.

The newly formed joint committee, which includes both governors and traditional rulers, will be led by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma.

His words, “A joint committee of governors and our traditional rulers led by Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma should be set up, and that committee should seek to ensure that the various remarks and comments that were made from those that were present that reflect the desires of those that they represent, should be included to make for a robust document.

“Memorandum should also be called for and received, and all that should be synthesised so that whatever document will be presented to the National Assembly will be a very comprehensive, a very inclusive document that seeks to empower our royal majesties, royal highnesses more and seeks to involve them in governance, peace, security of our various states across the country, including the FCT.”

Abiodun said the meeting also discussed the issue of state police, gender-based violence and local government autonomy.

He said, “We spoke about the impact, or otherwise of local government autonomy on traditional rulers. The idea was to inform them of what the Supreme Court ruling means so that they have a better understanding of the impact of that ruling when implementation commences.

“We further deliberated also on the issues of peace and security, food security, and all other emerging threats. The participation of our traditional rulers was also, again, underscored,” he said.