Ohanaeze Ndigbo Slams Senate Bill on Traditional Rulers Council
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has expressed strong opposition to a bill before the Senate that seeks to permanently designate the Ooni of Ife and Sultan of Sokoto as co-chairmen of the Traditional Rulers Council.
The group argues that this move would unfairly exclude apex traditional rulers from other ethnic groups and geopolitical zones.
In a statement signed by National Publicity Secretary Ezechi Chukwu, Ohanaeze Ndigbo described the bill as discriminatory, ethnocentric, and objectionable. Chukwu emphasized that the Senate’s proposal disregards the principles of fairness, equity, and federal character enshrined in the Constitution.
The group is calling for the immediate withdrawal of the bill, urging the Senate to reconsider and revise it to ensure ethnic balance, cultural sensitivity, and inclusive governance.
According to Ohanaeze Ndigbo, only an equitable and unbiased approach can foster national unity, peaceful coexistence, and social stability.
The bill has already passed its second reading, but Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s strong objections may influence its future trajectory. The group’s concerns highlight the complexities of navigating Nigeria’s diverse cultural and ethnic landscape.
