By; MOHAMMED KAWU, Bauchi
The paramount Emir of Misau Emirate in Bauchi State, Ahmed Suleiman mni, has stressed the need for both the red and green chambers of the National Assembly to hasten constitutional amendments to provide for specific roles for traditional rulers in the country.
The emir, at an interactive session with journalists in Misau, described as marvelously significant the inclusion of some specific roles of traditional rulers in the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution with a view to give them a sense of leadership in the society.
Emir Ahmed Suleiman therefore, put it thus, “As custodians of the tradition and culture of people in their respective domains, the provision of some specific roles to traditional rulers in the Nigerian Constitution in upholding their leadership status cannot be out of place”.
“This issue is important because the emirs are sworn in with the Constitution, we swear that we will obey the constitution, but we do not have the authority to do anything under the constitution”, the emir faulted their leadership status.
The paramount ruler told the press that the formidable council of emirs in the country has sent its representatives to the National Assembly with a strong request for the lawmaking body to critically look into this particular issue so as to make amendment to the Constitution.
He honorably submitted, “We are praying to Almighty Allah to look into this matter and give those at the helm of affairs in the country to look into the issue and do the right thing”.
According to the emir, the advantage of giving specific leadership roles to traditional rulers in the constitution is to afford them the opportunity to carry out their legitimate duties in accordance to dictates of the law.
“It is also for an emir to rightly use his position of leadership as it should be in bringing about development in the areas of education, healthcare services, and promote peace and stability in their domains”.
Suleiman recalled the country’s first republic when emirs were saddled with specific duties in running the affairs of their subjects, saying “I remember when traditional rulers pay routine weekly visits to primary schools in their domains to propel teachers give attention to their duties”.
He also noted with regret the advisory role now vested on the traditional rulers could not hold water as, according to him, they could neither direct or prevent happening good or bad, yet they were christened traditional rulers and custodian of people’s culture and tradition.
The emir called on government at all levels to consider giving specific roles to traditional rulers in the constitution owing to their contributions in the maintenance of peace and security at the grassroots.
