On Wednesday, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and traditional rulers had a joint meeting to assess the constitutional roles for traditional rulers.
While speaking to the journalists at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Governor Dapo Abiodun stated that the agenda for the meeting was to define the constitutional roles of the traditional rulers and a bill have been passed before the National Assembly concerning it.
He stated that the joint meeting agreed that “A joint committee of governors and our traditional rulers led by Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma should be set up, and that committee should seek to ensure that the various remarks and comments that were made from those that were present that reflect the desires of those that they represent, should be included to make for a robust document.
“Memorandum should also be called for and received, and all that should be synthesised so that whatever document will be presented to the National Assembly will be a very comprehensive, a very inclusive document that seeks to empower our royal majesties, royal highnesses more and seeks to involve them in governance, peace, security of our various states across the country, including the FCT.”
He added, “We spoke about the impact, or otherwise of local government autonomy on traditional rulers. The idea was to inform them of what the Supreme Court ruling means so that they have a better understanding of the impact of that ruling when implementation commences.
“We further deliberated also on the issues of peace and security, food security, and all other emerging threats. The participation of our traditional rulers was also, again, underscored.”