The Nigerian Senate on Thursday approved for a second reading a bill seeking to establish the National Council for Traditional Rulers, a move aimed at formally integrating monarchs and community leaders into national governance.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Simon Lalong of Plateau South, has sparked extensive debate among lawmakers, with concerns raised about potential conflicts between the roles of traditional rulers and elected local government officials.
Lalong, a former governor of Plateau State, defended the bill, arguing that modern traditional rulers are well-educated and could provide valuable counsel on security, conflict resolution, and national issues. He emphasized that their inclusion in governance would enhance efforts to address insecurity and other societal challenges.
“When there are crises and killings, the first thing people say is ‘let’s hold the traditional ruler responsible,’ because they know their communities well, including the criminals. Yet, they have no defined responsibilities or authority,” Lalong stated.
He further noted that many traditional rulers had requested a formal role in governance, especially in matters concerning security and national stability.
However, some senators expressed reservations about the potential overlap of duties between traditional rulers and government officials. Senate President Godswill Akpabio stressed the need to clearly define the functions of traditional rulers in the bill to avoid governance conflicts.
Akpabio also suggested conducting a public hearing to gather input from various stakeholders before proceeding to the third reading.
The bill has now been referred to the Senate Committee on Establishment, which is expected to provide a report within four weeks.
