Ohanaeze rejects senate bill naming Ooni, Sultan as permanent traditional rulers’ co-chairs
Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has denounced a bill currently before the Nigerian Senate that seeks to make the Ooni of Ife and the Sultan of Sokoto permanent co-chairmen of the National Council of Traditional Rulers.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Enugu, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation described the bill as unjust and discriminatory, warning that it effectively sidelines other prominent traditional rulers from different ethnic and geopolitical zones across Nigeria.
The group’s National Publicity Secretary, Ezechi Chukwu, criticised the bill as “asymmetric,” arguing that it disregards the principles of equity, fairness, and the federal character as outlined in the Nigerian Constitution.
He expressed dismay over what he called an attempt to undermine inclusivity and equality in the country’s traditional leadership structure.
“The Senate in this vein has failed in its capacity as the highest legislative carrier and custodian of the nation’s democratic mandate,” Chukwu said.
“This bill is not only inequitable, discriminatory, and ethnocentric, it is equally distasteful, reprehensible, and objectionable.
“It lacks all the ethical considerations, objective metrics, and unbiased categories for national unity and social justice in a pluralist nation-state like Nigeria.”
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the bill has already passed second reading in the Senate, raising tensions among various ethnic and regional groups.
Ohanaeze called for its immediate withdrawal and urged lawmakers to reconsider the legislation in light of Nigeria’s ethnic diversity, cultural sensitivities, and need for balanced representation.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo called for the urgent withdrawal of the bill and the need to review it in consideration for ethnic differences, cultural sensitivity, geopolitical balance, inclusive governance, and equitable representation,” Chukwu said.
“It is only by doing so shall the bill foster national unity, peaceful co-existence and social stability.”
