Amid growing insecurity, ethnic tensions and perceived declining national cohesion, traditional rulers have sought a constitutional advisory role to improve governance and tackle the numerous challenges besetting Nigeria.
Etsu Nupe and Chairman, Coordinating Committee of National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, who made the call at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs’ (NIIA) first Distinguished Lecture Series for 2024, themed Traditional Authority and National Integration in Nigeria, yesterday in Lagos, submitted that there is currently no law at the federal level or constitutional provision recognising monarchs and the roles they could play.
He urged the National Assembly to assign constitutional roles for traditional rulers to legally intervene in matters affecting religion, culture, security and conflict resolution, along with the debates of restructuring governance, devolution of powers, and the complex interplay between traditional institutions and the federal political system in Nigeria’s multi-ethnic democracy.
Abubakar, who is also Chairman, Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, stressed that the traditional institution is critical to the overall development of the country, highlighting its potential to resolve conflicts owing to its closeness to the people and societal reverence.
He noted: “Their (monarchs) expertise as peacemakers and socio-cultural bridge builders should be maximally exploited to bring greater value and understanding among the different people of Nigeria, thereby building a stronger and more viable nation.
“This is in addition to their established roles as custodians of cultural values like empathy, respect for elders and prioritising communal interests, values vital for re-establishing peaceful societies. Most significantly, their permanent residency and intimate familiarity with local environments, make them ideal for effective community surveillance and security management, as well as local expertise in conflict evolution, being closer to grassroots issues than government agencies.”
According to him, traditional rulers are sacrosanct to the people, especially in affairs of unity, moral and religious values, hence the crucial roles they play in the search for viable and indigenous solutions to the problems of insecurity and disunity.
Former presidential candidate, of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 2023 general elections, Prince Adewole Adebayo, equally harped on incorporating the traditional institution into the Constitution, stating that Nigerians care less about the form of government but more for justice.
Stating that in diplomacy, traditional, institutions are soft powers, he suggested that such institutions should be run justly.
“What we need to do is not add traditional institutions to another layer of oppression for the people, but an institution that propels justice,” Adebayo added.
Director General of NIIA, Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, recalled that Nupe Land played and is still playing a major role in Nigeria’s history, hence the importance of the emir to address issues of integration.
He added that traditional rulers could help solve the insecurity in the nation.
