A bill in the Nigerian Senate seeking to officially designate the Ooni of Ife and the Sultan of Sokoto as permanent co-chairmen of the National Council of Traditional Rulers has sparked strong reactions from the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide. The group says the proposed law threatens Nigeria’s fragile unity by ignoring principles of federal character, equity, and inclusive governance. According to The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the bill elevating Ooni and Sultan recently passed second reading, raising concerns across regional and cultural lines.
Ohanaeze’s Protest
The apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, didn’t mince words in rejecting the Senate’s move. Dr. Ezechi Chukwu, the group’s National Publicity Secretary, issued a statement from Enugu calling the bill discriminatory, unbalanced, and fundamentally undemocratic. He described it as an “asymmetric bill” that not only disregards the spirit of equity and federal character but could also worsen ethnic tensions in the country.
“This bill is not only inequitable, discriminatory and ethnocentric, it is equally distasteful, reprehensible and objectionable,” Chukwu said. For Ohanaeze, the bill elevating Ooni and Sultan into exclusive national status sidelines traditional institutions in the South-East and other zones, violating the ideals of a truly federal state.
Ohanaeze’s position is anchored on the fact that Nigeria is a pluralist nation with diverse ethnic groups, each possessing their own respected traditional institutions. “There must be cultural sensitivity and geopolitical balance in any decision that seeks to confer national symbolism or authority,” Chukwu emphasized. “This bill lacks those metrics.”
The group’s call for withdrawal of the bill and its re-examination is not a rejection of the Ooni or Sultan as respected figures. Rather, it is a plea for inclusivity and recognition that no two leaders should symbolize the whole nation’s traditional identity, especially in a country that already struggles with cohesion.
A Question of Representation: Who Speaks for Whom?
The outrage stirred by the bill has spilled into the public sphere, especially on social media. Many Nigerians have voiced frustrations about regional marginalization and political neglect. A user, @NnamdiSOM, tweeted, “Are there no representatives in the east… Or do we just have picture representatives?” His sentiment echoes a common feeling among many easterners who feel their political leaders have remained silent in the face of regional injustices.
Similarly, @uzisika added, “Ohanaeze cry well. You’re beginning to see the effects of years of silence and cowardice.” These comments suggest that resentment isn’t just aimed at the Senate, but also at perceived regional inaction and failure to assert southeastern interests strongly.
Dr. Chukwu’s reaction reflects this pressure. He noted that the Senate, as the custodian of Nigeria’s democratic framework, has a responsibility to treat all regions with fairness and respect. “This bill,” he said, “fails to reflect the aspirations of a multi-ethnic nation and instead privileges certain cultural identities over others.”
This controversy brings to light the deeper question of who gets to represent Nigeria’s diverse traditional heritage. The bill elevating Ooni and Sultan may recognize two historically significant monarchs, but the problem, as Ohanaeze sees it, lies in granting them permanent authority without consulting other regions.
Federal Character or Ethnic Supremacy?
The Senate bill’s passage to its second reading has already sent ripples through Nigeria’s volatile federation. Although it hasn’t yet become law, its implications have raised alarms about creeping ethnocentric legislation. Chukwu warned that the Senate was “failing in its capacity” as a body meant to protect national unity and uphold the constitution.
One social media user, @maryam_skits, provided context many Nigerians may not know. “Do you know that the Sultan of Sokoto is the PERMANENT Chairman of the National Traditional Rulers Council in Nigeria?” she asked. “It means that ALL traditional rulers in Nigeria is under the caliphate. Tinubu now wants to make the Ooni of Ife a co-chairman of the organisation.”
This statement points to a deeper concern: the risk of institutionalizing cultural dominance through federal legislation. For many southerners and minorities, the bill represents not just an honor for two revered monarchs, but an erosion of equal traditional representation.
Ohanaeze’s position is not unique. Leaders from the South-South and Middle Belt regions have also voiced similar concerns in the past regarding federal appointments and national council compositions. The bill elevating Ooni and Sultan reopens these old wounds and could reignite regional agitations.
For Nigeria to function as a united entity, its symbols must reflect the nation’s diversity. When one group or two individuals become permanent representatives of an entire country’s traditional voice, it risks alienating others. Chukwu made it clear that only inclusive governance and recognition of cultural plurality can foster peace.
Tradition Must Serve Unity, Not Supremacy
The controversy surrounding the bill elevating Ooni and Sultan underscores a fundamental truth about Nigeria: unity cannot be imposed through legislation that marginalizes others. While the Ooni of Ife and the Sultan of Sokoto are indeed important cultural icons, permanently naming them as co-chairmen of the Traditional Rulers Council sends a dangerous message in a country still battling issues of ethnic mistrust.
As Ohanaeze Ndigbo has rightly argued, Nigeria’s unity must be built on fairness, mutual respect, and inclusive decision-making. Anything short of that undermines the fragile peace that holds the federation together.
The Senate still has time to reverse course. It can consult widely, listen to all voices, and come up with a solution that respects every region’s cultural dignity. In doing so, it will not only protect the constitution’s federal character provision but also build goodwill across communities.
Do you believe the bill elevating Ooni and Sultan promotes unity or deepens division? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments or tag @NationDigest on X. Your voice matters in shaping the future of Nigeria’s democracy.
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