NASS to  create constitutional roles for traditional rulers – Abbas

By Femi  Oyelola, Kaduna

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Tajudeen Abbas, has assured that the 10th National Assembly will create constitutional roles for traditional rulers in the country.

The Speaker made the assertion when he paid his first official visit to the Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamali after his emergence as the Speaker of the 10th House Representatives.

Abbas, who received a rousing welcome in the palace said, he and the majority of the current members in the House understand the importance of the traditional institution, saying, they will do the needful to ensure a role is created for them in the constitution.

“I am aware of three years ago, there was a position paper by the traditional rulers across the six geopolitical zones where they clearly stated how they want the traditional institutions to function in this present dispensation. We thank God that today your son is the Speaker of the House of Representatives and in a position to revisit the traditional rulers’ agitation.

“I want to assure you today, that my colleagues and I who are from traditional ruling houses and others who share similar sentiments will go back and look at the position paper written by the traditional leaders in order to ensure that the traditional institution has a place in this current political dispensation.

“We will work assiduously with the various state houses of assembly in order to ensure that, the glory of the traditional institution is restored.

“I am here with over 70 members of the House of Representatives to receive your blessing, the blessing of other traditional rulers and Nigerians on the need to unite Nigerians for the progress and development of the country.”

The speaker also said,” We will from time to time seek your advice because we in government are like football players on the pitch who are bound to make mistakes.”

He expressed appreciation to the Emir, the traditional chiefs and the people of Zazzau Emirate for the warm reception accorded him on his first homecoming as the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

In his remarks, Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Bamali said the request for roles for traditional rulers in the constitution is not an attempt to create another tier of government.

“The role of the traditional institution cannot be overemphasized because the traditional institution has played important roles since from first republic, second republic and even till today. I am aware that the majority of the members here have direct or indirect relationships with the traditional institution.

“I am speaking on behalf of the Northern traditional rulers. We are expecting the presenting National Assembly to look for the bill, dust it, work on it, and ensure that it is passed into law,”

According to him, the Zazzau Emirate has nothing to say than thank God for the blessing. He has bestowed on the Emirate.

“The Emirate has produced a reasonable percentage of prominent Nigerians from Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, Vice Namadi Sambo, several Ministers, Secretary to the Government of Federation and now Speaker of the House of Representatives.