• Demand constitutional recognition
Traditional rulers have linked the incessant insecurity and other vices in the country to regimes of Generals Aguiyi Ironsi, Yakubu Gowon and Olusegun Obasanjo which stripped monarchs of some powers and did not give them any constitutional role.
Chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, said the Ironsi’s 1966 Unitary Government Decree and Gowon’s and Obasanjo’s 1967 and 1976 Local Government Reforms Decrees, stripped traditional rulers of their powers and gave the same to local government authorities.
“The society was, at that time, progressive, peaceful, decent and full of beautiful traditions and cultures. Life and property were safe, accountability and honesty were the hallmarks of the traditional institution.
Deji Elumoye and Udora Orizu in Abuja
Traditional rulers yesterday renewed their clamour for relevance with a request that 1999 Constitution as amended should be reviewed to include specific roles for them.
The monarchs, under the auspices of the National Traditional Council of Nigeria, accused the military regimes of Gen. Aguiyi Ironsi (rtd), Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd) and General Olusegun Obasanjo (rtd) of relegating the traditional institution to the background with no constitutional role.
Chairman of the council and the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, said Ironsi’s 1966 Unitary Government Decree; Gowon’s and Obasanjo’s 1967 and 1976 Local Government Reforms Decrees, respectively, stripped traditional rulers of their powers and gave same to local government councils.
He also alleged that the colonialists needed the traditional rulers to consolidate their indirect rule; the politicians to stabilise their governments and the military, to gain acceptance.
The chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, on Thursday, said the regimes of Generals Aguiyi Ironsi, Yakubu Gowon and Olusegun Obasanjo relegated the traditional institution to the background with no constitutional role. Speaking in Abuja at a meeting with the Steering Committee […]
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