A Bill for an Act to Establish the National Council for Traditional Rulers in order to accord formal recognition and facilitate their roles and functions has passed second reading in the Nigerian Senate.
The bill, which was sponsored by Senator Simon Lalong, representing Plateau South Senatorial District, generated detailed debate among senators, primarily to avoid conflict of responsibilities with elected political officers at the Local Government Councils.
Senator Lalong, who is the former governor of Plateau State, expressed that traditional rulers are now well-educated, and their advice and opinions on insecurity and other national issues could help the government in meeting the yearnings of citizens.
He urged his colleagues to support the bill to be passed into law.
“Their formal recognition would as well facilitate their roles and functions.”
Some senators who expressed reservations about potential conflicts of responsibility cautioned that the bill should clearly distinguish the role of traditional rulers from that of the government to avoid confusion.
In his remark, the President of the Senate Godswill Akpabio emphasized that the bill should clearly spell out the functions of traditional rulers.
Senator Akpabio said that a public hearing should be conducted to elicit opinions and perspectives before it is brought for a third reading.
He said traditional rulers have what it takes to offer counsel on a diversity of issues that would help the government before passing the bill for the second reading.
The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Establishment to report back in four weeks.
