The Ohiku Egbira Descendants’ Union (OEDU)—the umbrella socio-cultural organization representing all Egbira peoples across Nasarawa, Kogi, and Edo States, as well as the Federal Capital Territory—hereby registers its position regarding a clause in the National Council for Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill currently before the National Assembly. The clause in question seeks to constitutionally designate the Sultan of Sokoto and the Ooni of Ife as permanent Co-Chairmen of the Council.
While we wholeheartedly support giving constitutional recognition to the advisory role of traditional rulers—as custodians of culture, crisis managers, mobilizers of communities, and repositories of ancient wisdom—we firmly reject the designation of only two of them as permanent Co- Chairmen to preside over such a diverse body.
This clause is poblematic for several reasons. Nigeria’s cultural and traditional landscape is vast, multifaceted, and cannot be adequately represented by two traditional rulers no matter how eminent.
The Sultan of Sokoto and Ooni of Ife—while revered in their respective domains—do not embody the full cultural, historical, and political breadth of either Northern or Southern Nigeria.
Furthermore, enacting this bill as it is will be exclusionary, unjust, and potentially destabilizing. It undermines the principles of diversity, equity, and federal representation crucial to a peaceful and united Nigeria.
Our position, therefore, is that the bill should not be passed or enacted at all. There are so many other important bills yearning for immediate attention that require instant amendments.
However, if any bill MUST be passed at all concerning the Chairmanship of the Council of Chiefs (though we do not believe so) then for equity, justice and balance, the Chairmanship must be rotational involving all the major tribes in each State.
Nonetheless, because of the controversies and difficulties that even this plausible suggestion entails, our position still remains an emphatic NO! to this proposed amendment. Let sleeping dogs lie.
Finally, suggestions to include the head of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) alongside the Sultan ignore the cultural and traditional essence of the Council. The Sultan holds a dual role—as a spiritual leader and a traditional ruler—whereas the CAN President does not preside over a traditional domain.
Signed by OEDU President’s name is Hon.Musa Adaohinoyi Ahmadu, PhD,OON.
