Rt Hon Abubakar Sulaiman, Speaker Bauchi State House of Assembly, has advocated for the inclusion of constitutional roles for traditional rulers in the planned constitutional amendment by the National Assembly.
The Speaker made the plea on Saturday at the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of District Head of Bashe of Ningi Local Government.
Hon Abubakar Sulaiman said traditional rulers are custodians of cultural heritage, peace, unity among the populace.
Hon Abubakar Sulaiman lamented that traditional rulers being the instrument through which government reach out to the people are being relegated by the constitution because no powers were clearly assigned to them despite the prominent roles they play in the socio-political lives of the citizenries.
“Many years ago, traditional rulers had central roles and powers in the affairs of society. They are closer to people and know whoever comes in and out of their domain, in the process, they fish out any criminal element trying to reside in their domain.
“These roles and powers are withdrawn but I must commend the District Head of Burra and Village Head of Bashe for appointing Fulani Heads (Hardo) in the area whom I believe will help you in surveillance and securing your domains.
“I, therefore, call on all traditional rulers in the State to copy from you. I also call on members of the National Assembly to look at these important roles being played by the traditional institutions in the country and make sure Nigeria’s Constitution recognise them,” he said.
The Speaker congratulated the monarch, Alhaji Usman Idris Parda on his 20th anniversary on the ancestral throne and all traditional title holders turbaned.
On his part, Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammad said his administration holds traditional institutions with high esteem thus the reason he always accords them due respect.
The Governor who was represented by the Commissioner for Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs Honourable Abdulrazak Nuhu Zaki congratulated the Bashe monarch Alhaji Usman Parda for his 20th anniversary and prayed to Almighty Allah to continue guiding him.
In his remarks, the Village Head of Bashe Alhaji Usman Idris Usman Parda thanked all the dignitaries and people that attended the event which he said has deeply touched him.
He particularly thanked the people of Bashe for their support and loyalty throughout his 20-year reign and assured them that with their continued support and prayers, he will continue to do more toward the development of the area.
