The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Tajudeen Abbas, says the Green Chamber will work to ensure that traditional rulers have constitutional roles.
The Speaker, who holds the traditional title of Iyan Zazzau, stated this at the palace of the Emir of Zazzau, His Royal Highness, Ahmed Bamalli, during his first visit to Zaria since his emergence as Speaker on June 13.
While noting the important role of traditional institutions, Mr. Abbas called for their recognition in the 1999 Constitution.
The Speaker, who is representing Zaria Federal Constituency for the fourth time, said the visit was to seek royal blessings, guidance and prayers from the royal father and also appreciate the support and prayers received from his constituency and Nigerians.
“I want to also intimate you that we will revisit the recommendations of the bill submitted by traditional rulers seeking for constitutional roles and ensure that the bill is passed.
In his response, the Emir of Zazzau, His Royal Highness, Ahmed Bamalli, explained that the traditional rulers had played several developmental roles at the pre-independent and post independent Nigeria, as such their roles could not be over emphasised.
He expressed dismay that some politicians were initially against the bill seeking constitutional roles for the rulers on the premise that such roles would amount to creating another tier of government.
The emir said it was not true that assigning constitutional roles to traditional rulers amounted to creating another tier of government.
The royal father who explained that an extensive deliberation on the issue was held in Kaduna under the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto added that a committee headed by Emir of Lafia, Nasarawa State, who was a Former Justice of Supreme Court, drafted the bill which was eventually not passed by the NASS.
“We are therefore appealing to the 10th assembly to revisit the bill and ensure its speedy passage to enhance security, growth and national development.”
Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji
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