Senator Ned Munir Nwoko’s advocacy for constitutional roles for traditional rulers is poised to become law as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, recently announced the 10th assembly’s plan to revisit the bill seeking such constitutional recognition for traditional rulers.
Senator Nwoko, representing Delta North, has been a passionate proponent of incorporating traditional rulers into Nigeria’s constitutional framework.
He explained that, incorporating traditional rulers into the constitutional framework of Nigeria can bring several significant benefits, drawing parallels from Western countries that have similar arrangements. Using the United Kingdom as a compelling example where constitutional monarchs play essential roles alongside elected representatives.
Providing reasons for his strong advocacy, the Senator pointed out that traditional rulers can serve as unifying symbols for their respective regions or ethnic groups, noting that they can play a vital role in bridging the gap between the central government and local communities.
He also posited that traditional rulers can play advisory and mediating role in governance. He explained that traditional rulers often possess extensive knowledge of local customs and issues and by involving them in the constitutional process, the government can tap into their wisdom and experience, gaining valuable insights for policy-making and development initiatives.
Nwoko who firmly believes that the participation of traditional rulers in politics and governance would have a significant impact, points out that these rulers have historically played crucial developmental roles in both pre-independent and post-independent Nigeria, making their contributions indispensable and deserving of great emphasis.
In 2021, when he took the national executive officers of Ohaneze Ndigbo (Igbo socio-cultural organization) on a courtesy call to the Asagba of Asaba who is also the Chairman of Anioma Traditional Rulers Council, Prof. Chike J. Edozien, Senator Nwoko openly advocated clear-cut roles for traditional rulers in the then ongoing constitutional amendment process as a deliberate step towards entrenching lasting peace and harmony in the Nigerian society.
During his 2023 senatorial campaign, a key component of Nwoko’s agenda was to champion a bill proposing constitutional roles for traditional rulers in Nigeria.
Recently, the Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, during a courtesy visit to the Emir of Zazzau, Malam Ahmed Bamalli, disclosed that the 10th assembly will revisit the recommendations of the bill submitted by the traditional rulers seeking for a constitutional roles and ensure that the bill is passed.
