• 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.
Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar (left); Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado-Bayero; Emir of Kazaure, Dr Najib Hussaini-Adamu; Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi and Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe during their meeting with President Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja…yesterday. PHOTO: NAN
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Despite reassurances by government, the deteriorating state of security in the country, particularly in the northeast, is daily testing the might of security agencies.