Monarchs’ Constitutional role, to be or not to be?

Last week Thursday, the National Council of Traditional Rulers, stormed the National Assembly for submission of memorandum on the need for them to be given specific constitutional roles in governance as was the practice in the past. Will they be given or not? TAIYE ODEWALE examines .

In line with the process of constitution review or amendments, traditional rulers across the country, under the aegis of National Council of Traditional Rulers, had interfaced separately with Constitution Review Committees of both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

While in the House of Representatives, the Council led by Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar on behalf of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Saad Abubakar and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Eniitan Ogunwusi as Chairman and Co – Chairman of National Council of Traditional Rulers in the country respectively, made its submissions to the Deputy Speaker, Hon Idris Wase in his capacity as Chairman of the Ad- hoc Commitee of House on Constitution Review, it was the entire leadership of the Senate that received the delegation.

Specifically on Thursday when the delegation of traditional rulers met the Senate Ad – hoc Commitee on Constitution Review, chaired by the Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo – Agege, the President of the Senate himself, Senator Ahmad Lawan and other principal officers of the Senate, were also physically present to listen and receive the demands of the royal fathers.

The traditional rulers, as contained in the 19-page written memorandum they submitted, wanted amendments to the 1999 constitution through constitutional establishment of ( i) National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria ( NCTRN) that will be chaired by whoever is the incumbent President of the country and constituted in membership by three foremost traditional rulers from each state of the federation and Chairman of the Traditional Council in FCT. (ii) State Council of Traditional Rulers and ( iii), Local Council of Traditional Rulers.

Pointedly, the royal fathers, in their submissions, wanted powers and functions taken away from them by the 1976 Local Government Reform and 1999 Constitution to be restored to them.

The leader of the delegation specifically declared that the 1976 local government reform, carried out under the Obasanjo military regime, crippled the institution in the running of governance at the local level like arbitration on issues like marital, land theft etc, within an Emirate or community just as the 1999 Constitution, stripped them of constitution rights of being part of the National Council of States meetings.

He said: “At independence and even before, precisely during the first republic, both the 1960 and 1963 constitutions , gave traditional rulers substantial roles to play in governance through bicameral legislature at the regional level with the House of Chiefs in place along with parliaments meant for elected representatives.

“But the military interregnum which started with the Aguyi Ironsi regime in January 1966 to that of Yakubu Gowon from July 1966 to July 1975 and that of Obasanjo which carried out the local government reform in 1976, stripped the traditional rulers of any constitutional role in governance.

“Unfortunately, before the exclusion of the institution from governance , particularly at the grassroots, insecurity was not a problem for the country as well as religious and communal clashes being experienced in different parts of the country now.

“No community or nation can thrive successfully without due consideration of its historical evolution , which was not considered by any of the provisions of the 1999 constitution .

“Even the ceremonial function given the Institution by the 1979 constitution with inclusion of Chairmen of Council of traditional rulers from each of the 19 states then , as members of National Council of States , was removed by the 1999 constitution.

“Traditional institution aside been the only platform of societal administration before the advent of colonialism , was also the veritable platform heavily relied upon by the colonialists during the era of colonialism , which made the Institution to be factored into the form of governance bequeathed to us in 1960 at independence”.

To them, their status in governance at the grassroots , can be reinstated as it was before , during and few years after the colonial era , through constitutional provisions to that effect as specified in their proposed Local Council of Traditional Rulers where they will amongst others , collaborate with local government authorities on security matters, monitor the implementation of local government development programmes and capital projects etc .

The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan in his remarks , assured the traditional rulers of cooperation of the National Assembly in acceding to their demands .

“lf given the required constitutional role , traditional institution , will no doubt , add values to governance in the country in the area of security , communal conflicts among others .

“Infact , if there is need for the Institution to be factored into the Nation’s security architecture , it should be done for security and safety of Nigerians across the length and breadth of the country” , he said.

He however advised them to ensure that each of the 469 federal lawmakers , is given a copy of the memorandum for the required consideration.

The Chairman of the Ad – hoc Committee on Constitution review in the Senate , Senator Ovie Omo – Agege in his remarks , urged the traditional rulers to lobby both the federal and state lawmakers for easy adoption of their requests, since according to him, all political office holders , elected or appointed, are subjects of traditional rulers .

“The strongest weapon in bringing about amendments to constitution ,is lobbying , which as royal fathers , can be easily done by you since all political office holders ( both elective and appointive ) in both the Executive and legislative arms of government are your subjects .

“We shall as assured by the President of the Senate, look into the demands and facilitate their approvals “, he said .

But aside membership of the National Council of States as provided for in section 140 ( sub section 1) of the 1979 constitution which was excluded from the 1999 constitution, will the royal fathers be given any other role in governance through the ongoing constitution amendment as demanded for , by them? Time will definitely tell.

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