The Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, yesterday said the request for roles for traditional rulers in the constitution is not an attempt to create another tier of government in the country.
He told the speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas during a courtesy visit at his palace in Zaria:
“The role of the traditional institution cannot be overemphasized, because the traditional institution has played important roles since the first republic, second republic and even till today. I am aware that majority of the members here have direct or indirect relationship with the traditional institution.
“What is surprising to us is that people would come to us to seek our blessings when seeking election, but when they win, they would disappear until another election, they now begin to see us as their stumbling blocks. Up till now, we are really shocked as traditional rulers why they behave like that, but what they failed to understand is that the traditional institution has come to stay, whether we are alive or not. Wherever you go, you will still come back to us.
“We are aware that the fear of most of these politicians is that we want to create another tier of government. I speaking on behalf on behalf of other traditional rulers, the Sultan of Sokoto, Shehu of Borno and other traditional rulers. We discussed this issue of traditional rulers extensively. We went to Abuja, wet the former president, senate president, speaker of the House of Representatives. We presented our position under the chairmanship of the Emir of Lafia who is a former Supreme Court judge with experience. We drafted our position and submitted it to the former senate president, we were surprised that the bill was abandoned.
“I am speaking on behalf of the Northern traditional rulers. We are expecting the presenting National Assembly to look for the bill, dust it, work on it and ensure that it is passed into law.”
He added that the Zazzau Emirate had nothing to say than thank God for the blessing He had bestowed on it. The emirate has produced reasonable percentage of prominent Nigerians from Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, vice president Namadi Sambo, several ministers, Secretary to the Government of Federation and now Speaker of the House of Representatives.
The speaker, Rt. Hon Tajudeen Abbass, had promised that the 10th National Assembly would create constitutional roles for traditional rulers in the country.
The speaker who is from Zaria and represents Zaria constituency, was given a grand reception at the palace with a colourful durbar. He said himself and majority of the current House members understood the importance of the traditional institution and would do the needful to ensure that a role is created for them in the constitution.
“I am aware about three years ago, there was a paper by the traditional rulers council across the six geo political zones where they clearly stated how they want the traditional institution to function in the present dispensation. We thank God that today your son is the Speaker of House of Representatives and in the position to revisit the position of the traditional rulers.
“I want to assure you today that my colleagues and I who are from traditional ruling houses and others who share similar sentiment will go back and look at the position paper written by the traditional leaders in order to ensure that the traditional institution has a place in this current political dispensation.
“We will work assiduously with the various state houses of assembly in order to ensure that the glory of the traditional institution is restored.
“I am here with over 70 members of House of Representatives to receive your blessings, the blessing of other traditional rulers and Nigerians on the need to unite Nigerians for the progress and development of the country. We will from time to time seek your advice because we in government are like football players on the pitch who are bound to make mistakes,” Abbas said.
He expressed appreciation to the emir, the traditional chiefs and the people of Zazzau Emirate for the warm reception accorded him on his first home coming as speaker of House of Representatives.
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