The Traditional Rulers Council of Nigeria on Thursday in Abuja, called for reinstatement of its constitutional role in the review of the 1999 Constitution.
The Chairman of the Council and the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar III, made the call at a meeting with the Steering Committee of the Senate Constitution Review Committee.
The Sultan was represented by Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, the Etsu Nupe.
In a memorandum presented to the committee, Abubakar demanded that the constitution be amended to give the traditional rulers a unique constitutional recognition.
He noted that no community or nation would thrive successfully without due consideration of its historical evolution, customs, values and beliefs.
READ ALSO: Police Commence 2nd Phase Of NHIS Enrolment For Retired Officers In Niger
“It is important that the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, and by extension the National Assembly, ensures a constitutional role for traditional rulers in matters involving religion, culture, security, justice and other ancillary matters.
“The constitutional provision should provide for states to enact State Laws that cater for specific peculiar matters relating to traditional rulers in the respective states.
“In addition, the Chairmen of the States Councils of Chiefs should be recognised by the Constitution as Members of the Council of State as it has been in all the Nigerian Constitutions, except the 1999 one,” he said.
Responding, the Deputy Senate President and chairman of the committee, Ovie Omo-Agege, told the traditional rulers that their requests were “not too much to ask.”
He urged them to lobby lawmakers at the national and states Assembly, who were their subjects for their requests to sail through. (NAN)
