Our Reporter, Abuja
Just like the Igbo apex socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo did recently, the Niger Delta Congress (NDC) has strongly condemned a bill currently before the Nigerian Senate seeking to designate the Sultan of Sokoto and the Ooni of Ife as the permanent Chairman and Co-chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers.
In a statement issued on Monday and signed by its National Spokesperson, Mudiaga Ogboru, the NDC described the proposed legislation—which has already passed its second reading in the Senate—as a “flagrant assault on equity, inclusivity, and federal character.”
The Congress warned that the bill, if passed into law, would “entrench a lopsided power structure” and marginalize other regions of the country, particularly the Niger Delta, which it said boasts a proud heritage of traditional institutions and respected monarchs.
“This bill represents a deliberate attempt to elevate two traditional rulers above others in a country as culturally and ethnically diverse as Nigeria,” the statement read.
“The Niger Delta, with its own rich tapestry of traditional leadership—some even predating the institutions cited in the bill—deserves equal recognition and representation.”
The NDC accused the Senate of ignoring the foundational principles of justice, fairness, and unity enshrined in the Nigerian constitution, calling the bill “unacceptable” and “divisive.”
“The imposition of permanent leadership roles on the National Council of Traditional Rulers for specific individuals is an affront to the spirit of federalism and the democratic ethos of Nigeria,” Ogboru said.
The group urged the Senate to halt further action on the bill and instead consult widely with all regions and ethnic nationalities to ensure balanced representation in the Council. It warned that the failure to do so could deepen existing fault lines and exacerbate disunity.
“The Niger Delta Congress stands ready to collaborate with other regions and stakeholders in crafting a truly inclusive and representative traditional leadership structure—one that reflects the full diversity and identity of our great nation,” the statement said.
