By Mashe Umaru Gwamna
The federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthen traditional institutions for effective,accessible and culturally appropriate mechanisms for conflict resolution and democratic governance in the country.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Chieftaincy Matters, Abbas Tijjani Hashim gave the assurance during the launch of the National Traditional Leaders Summit on Mediation Conflict Management and Peace Building on Thursday in Abuja.
He said the summit represents peaceful sustainable democracy for 2027 general elections and making traditional institutions as alternative dispute resolution organs.
“This initiative represents Mr . president’s unwavering commitment to inclusive governance by using community driven peace process and revitalizing our time to honour traditional institutions”.
Hashim said the summit will bring together 350 traditional leaders from across 36 states and Federal Capital Territory ( FCT).
“ We will engage the traditional rulers from the six geopolitical zones for over 10 months for intensive programs designed to enhance their capacity to modern mediation techniques and deepen their understanding of democratic institutions and electoral process to develop skills in post conflict reconciliation and community healing. This will also promote inclusive governance that ensures meaningful participation of women, youth and marginalized groups”.
He emphasized that the royal fathers will gain practical knowledge of constitutional frameworks governing electoral disputes, early warnings systems for identifying potential conflicts, effective coordination mechanisms with electoral management bodies and security agencies.
He said the president has made his choice clear .
“The president deeply believes in the powers of traditional institutions as architect that transforming our peace and strengthen our democracy and preserving the best of our culture heritage while embracing necessary evolution “, he stated .
Also speaking, Chairman of the House Committee on Traditional Institutions is Hon. Abdulmumin Ari Mohammed,said the summit is apt, the traditional institution needs constitutional legislation framework backing on conflict resolution and peace building by the National Assembly, which will help them the more for sustainable peaceful development.
Ari said that since 1999 as to date, all the past national assembly, there has not being committee called traditional institutions.
“ But today this marks a historic journey in Nigeria traditional institutions towards sustainable peace, social cohesion and democratic excellence.
“This is part of the president’s renewed hopes agenda of commitment and Inclusive governance”.
Meanwhile, The Executive Director, Research Center Advocacy and Advisory Africa( ReCAP) Sylvester Nandi -Eson, explained that the launch of summit is to enhance traditional leader’s capacity in meditation peace building and to have a sustainable democratic governance in Nigeria .
“ There is a need for traditional institutions to a deep democratic process knowledge. This will enhance their understanding of democratic institutions and electoral process and constitutional frameworks.
Eson reiterated that Inter-institutional synergy that will enable the ability to work with electoral bodies , security and civil society is key to enhance peaceful 2027 general elections and beyond.
The National Traditional Leaders Summit is a partnership between Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Chieftaincy Matters and Research Center Advocacy and Advisory Africa( ReCAP).
