Politics
Senate’s Proposal to Elevate Ooni, Sultan Sparks Nationwide Debate

A proposed bill in the Nigerian Senate seeking to establish a constitutionally recognized National Council of Traditional Rulers has triggered widespread criticism across the country—particularly over a controversial clause that elevates the Ooni of Ife and the Sultan of Sokoto as permanent heads of the Council.
While the bill—sponsored by Senator Simon Bako Lalong (Plateau South)—is intended to formalize the role of traditional rulers in national development and peacebuilding, its provision giving the Ooni and Sultan precedence over all other monarchs has been condemned as divisive, undemocratic, and a threat to Nigeria’s federal character.
The bill, which passed second reading in March and is currently before the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service, has drawn sharp opposition from several groups, including Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the Middle Belt Forum (MBF), the Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF), and Concerned Hausa Stakeholders, among others.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo: “This is injustice and ethnic bias”
The apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, rejected the bill outright, calling it unjust, ethnocentric, and a violation of equity, fairness, and federal character principles.
Dr. Ezechi Chukwu, the group’s National Publicity Secretary, stated:
“The bill threatens to marginalize traditional institutions in the South-East, South-South, and Middle Belt. It disregards the diverse ethnic makeup of Nigeria and reduces the Senate to a promoter of executive lawlessness.”
Ohanaeze insisted the bill should be reviewed to reflect ethnic diversity and promote inclusive governance, rather than institutionalizing “ethnic hierarchy.”
Middle Belt Forum: “Sultan has no seniority over our monarchs”
The Middle Belt Forum also issued a strong rejection, particularly the clause elevating the Sultan of Sokoto. National Publicity Secretary Luka Binniyat said the move undermines historically older and culturally distinct institutions in the region.
“The Sultan of Sokoto is junior to ancient Middle Belt monarchies such as the Attah of Igala, the Tor Tiv, and the Etsu Nupe. This bill is a distortion of historical facts,” the group stated.
The MBF also criticized the Sultan’s role as primarily religious—not traditional—arguing that assigning him national traditional authority violates Nigeria’s secular character and marginalizes Christians and traditional worshippers.
They warned that if the clause is not removed, Middle Belt traditional rulers will boycott the Council and form their own autonomous body reflecting their heritage.
Concerned Hausa Stakeholders: “Nigeria is not a Fulani-Yoruba federation”
In a parallel rejection, a group of Concerned Hausa Stakeholders described the bill as ethnically biased and historically misleading. The group insisted that the Sultan of Sokoto does not represent the Hausa ethnic group culturally or traditionally.
“The Sultan is the Sarkin Musulmi, a religious leader of Fulani extraction, not a traditional Hausa monarch. He cannot speak for Hausa or northern traditional institutions,” the group said.
They argued that ancient Hausa city-states like Daura, Kano, and Zaria predate the Sokoto Caliphate, and it is insulting to subordinate them under the Sultan’s authority.
They further questioned the exclusion of other prominent monarchs, including the Oba of Benin, the Shehu of Borno, and Eze Nri in the East, saying the bill entrenches ethnic favoritism and risks igniting national disunity.
Alaigbo Development Foundation: “A slap on Nigeria’s cultural diversity”
The Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF) also condemned the bill, describing it as provocative and subjugative. They warned that it disrespects Nigeria’s cultural diversity and could provoke ethnic tensions.
“This bill is an insult to the Igbo people and to Nigeria’s cultural heritage. We urge all Igbo lawmakers to reject it and protect the integrity of our traditional institutions,” the group said.
Individual Reactions from South-West and South-South
Despite the elevation of the Ooni of Ife under the bill, some Yoruba voices also expressed disapproval.
Femi Adebowale, a university lecturer, questioned the assumption that the Ooni could speak for the entire Yoruba nation:
“Historically, the Alafin of Oyo is senior to the Ooni of Ife. So how can he be placed above all other Yoruba monarchs? This is divisive and historically inaccurate.”
Similarly, Caleb Osazuwa, a lawyer from Edo State, said the idea that the Ooni could represent southern traditional rulers—including the Oba of Benin—was laughable.
“It’s the greatest joke of the century. The Oba of Benin cannot and will never be placed under the Ooni. Nigeria must respect its ethnic and historical realities.”
Proposed Alternatives
In their responses, several groups and individuals offered suggestions to preserve equity and national unity:
- Rotational chairmanship of the Council across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones or ethnic blocs.
- Democratic selection of leaders by traditional rulers themselves, through an inclusive process.
- Clear separation between religious and traditional leadership to reflect Nigeria’s secular constitution.
Conclusion
As the Senate continues deliberations on the bill, growing nationwide backlash underscores Nigeria’s deep ethnic and historical complexities. Many fear that elevating two monarchs as permanent leaders of a national council could spark tensions, marginalize diverse ethnicities, and derail efforts toward unity.
While the creation of a national body for traditional rulers is seen as a positive step, critics argue that any structure must be inclusive, fair, and reflective of Nigeria’s pluralistic identity—not one that institutionalizes ethnic hierarchy.
Politics
Anambra House of Assembly suspends Hon Bernard Udemezue ; What’s his offence?
Honourable Udemezue had accused the house of marginalising his constituency over the allocation of constituency allowances and revealed details about the allowances, which sparked controversy on the floor of the house.

The Anambra State House of Assembly has suspended Bernard Udemezue, the member representing Ayamelum Constituency, for three months over matter bordering on misconduct.
The house took the decision after Udemezue allegedly made social media posts deemed damaging to the legislature’s image.
Honourable Udemezue had accused the house of marginalising his constituency over allocation of constituency allowances and revealed details about the allowances, which sparked controversy on the floor of the house
Politics
Wike Is Vindicated Over PDP Zoning Of Presidency To South, Chairman To North
But is it not too late already, bearing in mind that the only way the zoning can be justified is for the South to conclude its eight years, while the presidency returns to the North in 2031?

The decision of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) National Executive Committee (NEC) to zone the presidency to the South, and retaining the National Chairman of the party in the North has been described as another clear vindication of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike and the G-5’s position in 2022.
The Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, who reacted to the zoning, asked:
“Now, that the party has realised its mistake of not listening to Wike and the G-5 in 2022, and has chosen to do what they said, three years later, have they not been vindicated now?”
“Recall that the FCT Minister and the G-5 had insisted that the presidential candidate of the PDP and its National Chairman must not remain in the same zone, insisting that since Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, from the North had emerged as the presidential candidate, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, also from the North must resign to pave the way for a National Chairman from the South.
Ayu, however insisted on not resigning, with Atiku and his group backing him.
The aftermath of this was the electoral misfortune the party suffered in 2023, followed by instability after the elections.
“But today, the NEC resolved that since the National Chairman of the party is zoned to the North, the PDP 2027 Presidential ticket be zoned to the South.
“Has PDP not come back to eat its own vomit? “Sadly, they know the truth.
Wike simply said, Take the chairmanship to the South if you want to gain the presidency, but they said no, they must take the two, and the PDP lost!
“They have realised the mistake they made in 2022 and are correcting it in 2025.
But is it not too late already, bearing in mind that the only way the zoning can be justified is for the South to conclude its eight years, while the presidency returns to the North in 2031?
Politics
PDP Zones 2027 Presidential Ticket to the South

The national executive committee (NEC) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has zoned the presidential ticket for the 2027 election to the south.
Party leaders took the decision during the NEC meeting in Abuja on Monday.
Presenting a communique issued after the meeting, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP spokesperson, said NEC approved recommendations of the zoning committee after “extensive” deliberation.
He said that the existing zoning arrangement for NWC positions would remain in place for the national convention in November to elect a new national working committee (NWC).
“That all PDP national office positions currently in the northern region of the country remain in the northern region,” he said.
“That all PDP national office positions currently in the southern region of the country remain in the southern region.
“That having retained the position of the national chairman in the northern region of the country, the presidential candidate of the party for the 2027 general election is hereby zoned to the southern region.
“That the regions should immediately micro-zone positions within its region for implementation.”
The NEC expressed satisfaction with the level of preparedness across the party’s organs, chapters, and structures for the 2025 elective national convention, which is scheduled to take place in Ibadan, Oyo state, on November 15 and 16.
The NEC also received update from the PDP constitution amendment committee and directed the committee to circulate the draft to various organs and chapters of the party for further inputs.
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