By Kenneth Okoh, Business Editor
The deputy Senate President and Chairman of the senate Constitution Review Committee, Senator Ovie Omo=Agege has told Traditional Rulers that their request to have more relevance in the affairs of the nation and accorded due recognition was no0t too much to ask, only that they have to lobby their national and State legislatures for their request to sail through.
The deputy senate president spoke when traditional Rulers under the auspices of the National Traditional Council of Nigeria paid a working visit to the National Assembly and presented a memorandum to the senate Constitution Review Committee.
Omo-Agege told the monarchs led by Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, who represented the Sultan of Sokoto that there was need to deepen partnership as the government was well equipped to fulfill its primary obligation of safeguarding the lives and property of its citizens at the grassroots with the collaboration of the traditional rulers.
The Traditional Rulers had blamed the government for neglecting the traditional institution who would have helped to douse conflicts and ensure criminals have no hiding place. They therefore demanded that the 1999 Constitution as amended should be reviewed to include specific role s for them.
Omo-Agege assured them that the review will be open, impartial, inclusive and transparent in order to afford all Nigerians the opportunity to contribute to the process.
He said from his experience, the country’s path to greatness lies in the ability to maintain a fusion between democratic institutions and the traditional institution.
The deputy senate president informed the traditional rulers that soon the committee will be holding public hearings, followed by zonal public hearings and the royal fathers will have the opportunity to make inputs, telling them that their support and partnership was very important.
The Traditional Rulers want the Review Committee to create roles for them in matters involving religion, culture, security, justice and other ancillary matters.
