Traditional Rulers May Get Constitutional Role-NASS

By: Sunday Shekwonya

National Assembly may consider constitutional amendments to give Traditional Rulers roles in governance.

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio gave the assurance, Monday, while receiving a delegation of the Royal Fathers from the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory, led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, that paid him a visit.

Senator Akpabio whose assurance was in response to request made by the traditional rulers, said role of the royal fathers in governance, particularly on security matters are very important and should be encouraged.

According to him, “Your request for constitutional role in governance is not strange to us and in particular, to me based on my background. My late grandfather was a traditional ruler and infact, one of the Warrant Officers, used by the colonial masters for effective implementation of indirect rule”.

“You, traditional fathers are reservoirs of information, highly needed at the grassroots. Your journey to us today on the request, would surely not be in vain”, he stressed.

Earlier, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, represented at the occasion by the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, lamented that the constitutional role of traditional rulers was expunged by framers of the 1979 Constitution.

The Sultan noted that, all efforts made by Traditional rulers across the country under the aegis of National Council of Traditional Rulers, to get back the role, had been to no avail.