Every culture and tradition is local and peculiar to a locality!

There is nothing NATIONAL about Traditional Rulers in a multi-ethnic, diverse cultures, multi-religious and highly polarized society like NIGERIA!!

There is no basis whatsoever to give any legitimacy to any imaginary “National Council of Traditional Rulers in Nigeria”, that arrogates headship to just two individuals from just two small segments out of very many in Nigeria.

At the very best, or otherwise, Traditional Rulers relates to and rules over their locality and spheres of influence within their immediate environments!

So, why seek to create an illusion that creates confusion, division and acrimony, to further compound the present challenges of the socio-economic, cultural, religious, geographical and political situation in this country Nigeria!?

Those fastly losing exploitative political grip and economic power should NOT and must NOT be allowed take solace in traditional balderdash, to retain and/or come back to relevance through the backdoor!

Going by history, the Sultan of Sokoto is NOT a Traditional Ruler, but an offshoot of not too distant religious deceit and bigotry; and, the Ooni of Ife is NOT the most prominent traditional ruler in Yoruba land, but was catapulted up by political exigency of Action Group under Chief Obafemi Awolowo, to subjugate the uncompromising repository of old Oyo Empire, as exemplified by the Alafin of Oyo, due to political differences and political power play!

Let’s quickly put an end to this misadventure aimed at subjugation, servitude, promotion of internal colonization and disguised jihadist expansionist tendencies by other means, before it becomes calamitous!

Enough said for now.

The Retrogressive Nature of a National Council of Traditional Rulers in Nigeria

In a multi-ethnic and multi-traditional society like Nigeria, the idea of a National Council of Traditional Rulers is not only retrogressive but also colonial in nature. The concept of traditional rulership is deeply rooted in ethnicity and culture, making it challenging to create a national council that represents the diverse interests of various ethnic groups. Moreover, the recent attempt to legislate such a council with the Sultan of Sokoto and Ooni of Ife as permanent co-Chairmen is a recipe for conflict and a blatant attempt to place one ethnic group above others.

The notion of a national council of traditional rulers is oxymoronic, as traditional matters are determined by ethnicity and culture, not nationality. Each ethnic group has its unique customs, traditions, and institutions, which cannot be homogenized into a single national council. The attempt to create such a council is a colonial legacy that seeks to impose a uniform system of traditional governance on diverse ethnic groups.

The exclusion of other traditional rulers from the chairmanship positions, apart from the Sultan of Sokoto and Ooni of Ife, implies that the Fulani and Yoruba traditional rulers are superior to others. This is a clear violation of the principles of equity, justice, and fairness that underpin the Nigerian federation. It is unacceptable that two traditional rulers are given permanent chairmanship positions, while others are relegated to the background.

A more sensible approach would be to establish ethnic-based traditional councils, such as the Yoruba Council, Fulani Council, Edo Council, Efik Council, and Hausa Council, among others. These councils would be better positioned to address the unique needs and concerns of each ethnic group. If legislated upon, these councils should be established under state laws, rather than federal laws, to ensure that they are tailored to the specific needs of each state.

The attempt to legislate a national council of traditional rulers with the Sultan of Sokoto as a key figure raises suspicions about the true intentions of the proponents. Some may view this as a plot to institutionalize Fulani dominance over Nigeria, especially given the historical context of Fulani expansionism in West Africa. The invitation to Fulani from other West African countries to take over lands in Nigeria is a worrying trend that needs to be addressed.

The inclusion of the Ooni of Ife as co-Chairman is also suspect, as it may be a surreptitious attempt to incorporate some unwitting Yorubas into the plan. This move may be designed to perpetuate the schism between the Ooni and Alaafin, and to weaken the Yoruba nation by appealing to the vanity of the Ooni. Anyone with a true love for Nigeria and a deep understanding of its complexities will reject this attempt to create a national council of traditional rulers.

In conclusion, the idea of a National Council of Traditional Rulers in Nigeria is retrogressive, colonial, and has no basis in reality. It is a recipe for conflict and a blatant attempt to place one ethnic group above others. Nigerians should reject this attempt to create a national council and instead focus on establishing ethnic-based traditional councils that can address the unique needs and concerns of each ethnic group. By doing so, we can promote equity, justice, and fairness, and build a more harmonious and united Nigeria.

•His Royalty, Professor Echefuna’ R G ONYEBEADI [DBA; PhDs; CEng. Etc], Emeritus Professor of Engineering Economy & Strategic Management, is a United Nations Fellow and The Inegbese of Oligbo Kingdom.