The member representing Njikoka Two Constituency at the Anambra State House of Assembly, Dr. Jude Akpua has opposed a senate bill proposing the elevation of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the Ooni of Ife. Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, as the sole co-chairmen of the National Traditional Rulers Council (NTRC).
Angel Network News (ANN) reports that
Hon Akpua who is also the Deputy Majority Leader of the Anambra State House of Assembly, speaking in Awka, explained that the bill is a threat to national unity and will be perceived as ethnic domination giving the Sultan’s inherited legacy.
The lawmaker urged the National Assembly to jettison the idea as it does not represent the diverse ethnic nationalities in Nigeria.
Also speaking, the Traditional Ruler of Awba-Ofemmili, Igwe Ezekwesili Maduagwuna condemned the bill in its entirety as it fails to capture monarchs in the Southeast and South-South.
Igwe Maduagwuna urged members of the senate to retrace their steps and avoid passing bills that could spark social unrest and deepen the existing feelings of marginalization.
Angel Network News (ANN) recalls that recently, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, through a statement, strongly rejected the proposed Senate bill
The controversial bill, which has passed second reading in the Senate, is aimed at formally institutionalizing the leadership of the council, apparently to promote national unity and cultural cooperation among Nigeria’s diverse traditional institutions.
However, Ohanaeze Ndigbo says the bill is not only unconstitutional, but also discriminatory and insensitive to Nigeria’s multi-ethnic structure.
The group described the bill as inequitable, discriminatory, and ethnocentric and further characterized it as distasteful, reprehensible, and objectionable.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo argues that elevating two traditional rulers to permanent leadership roles, without room for rotational or inclusive representation, undermines the federal character principle.
