By Our Reporter
The umbrella body of Ijaw Elders, the Ijaw National Congress (INC) has rejected a proposed bill in the Senate seeking to permanently elevate the Ooni of Ife and Sultan of Sokoto as the exclusive Co-chairmen of the Traditional Rulers Council in Nigeria.
The INC said the move would be at the expense of apex traditional rulers from other ethnic nationalities and geopolitical divides.
The Second Vice Chairman of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Chief Nengi James said in a statement in Odi, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government area of Bayelsa State, that the proposal is a continuos infringement on the rights of Traditional Rulers in Nigeria.
James described the provision of the proposed bill as unacceptable and against the rights of the indigenous people across tribes, religion, culture and customs.
He said the bill should be reviewed to include clauses such as no permanent chairmanship for Sultan and Oni only must be allowed in the proposed bill.
He advocates that the National Assembly should allow the National Council of Traditional Rulers to Appoint their Leadership themselves, rotationally and based on Federal Character.
“Include the role of traditional rulers into the Constitution and no traditional ruler from another tribe or religion is superior to another.”
“The National Assembly should step down the provocative and dehumanizing offensive bill that will cause a serious rift and breach of peace in Nigeria.”
James called the attention of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, urging him to immediately step down what he termed a “highly insensitive and dangerous bill.”
He emphasized that traditional rulers across the country must be given equal recognition and should be allowed to choose their national leadership through internal mechanisms that reflect rotational leadership and the federal character system.
