Speaker Abbas in a group photos at first anniversary of the 10th Assembly
By Benard Akoma
The Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has said that the 10th Assembly under his leadership has taken steps aimed at actualizing constitutional roles for traditional institutions and autonomy for Local Governments in Nigeria.
Musa Abdullahi Krishi, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker, said that the Speaker, who stated this at the day-two of the ongoing 'Open Week' celebration to mark the first anniversary of the 10th House, noted that it is in furtherance of the objectives that the House constituted two special Standing Committees to drive the process of actualizing constitutional autonomy for Local Governments, as well as granting recognition to traditional institutions in Nigeria.
Traditional Rulers to be recognized
"The 10th House, under my leadership, will do its best to give recognition to the traditional rulers during our constitution amendment exercise as previous amendments in the past to grant constitutional recognition to traditional rulers, never saw the light of day,” he noted.
Abbas stated that traditional institutions are the backbones of our society, saying that the welfare of our people will be more enhanced with a legal role for the traditional institutions.
He also observed that “the security of our country will be more enhanced if the traditional institutions are given better roles.” To underscore the seriousness attached in the exercise, Abbas stated, “that's the reason from the onset, we decided to create Committees, two different ones, actually. One of them is the Committee on Traditional Institutions to drive the process of giving legal recognition to the traditional institutions in this coming constitutional amendment. The second one is the Committee on States and Local Governments," he said.
Speaker Abbas added that "if we must make headway with the ongoing constitution amendment, state governments, State Houses of Assembly, Local Government Councils and their councilors must be considered. That's the reason we decided that another committee dealing with issues of States and Local governments should come on board.
"These two Committees, we believe, will drive the process of reaching out to critical stakeholders in the states to ensure that the goal of local government autonomy is realized." Both the traditional rulers and Nigeria bar Association NBA, throw their weight behind the efforts of the House of Representatives.
Led by the Etsu Nupe Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, the Chairman, Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, the Traditional Rulers recalled the historical background of traditional institutions in Nigeria, that the colonialists used the institution to administer their rules.
They called on the Assembly to use the ongoing constitution review exercise to re-establish the roles of traditional institutions in the country, saying, “so that we can assist governments at all levels to monitor and maintain security and peace in our various domains."
Also the Nigerian Bar Association represented by the President, Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), urged the leadership of the 10th National Assembly to revisit all legal and legislative encumbrances hindering the realization of the full potential of traditional institutions in the country.
He noted that for such roles to be effective and sustainable, the constitution must also take care of the issue of job security for the traditional rulers, whom he said are currently at the mercy of politicians.
The constitutional provision for traditional rulers, the panelists argued, should include line items in the budget with a view to funding activities of traditional rulers in their various domains towards fighting insecurity and promoting peaceful coexistence among their subjects and settlers alike.
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