The Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly Abubakar Y Suleiman has advocated for the inclusion of constitutional roles to traditional rulers in the proposed constitutional amendment by the National Assembly.
He made the advocacy during the 20th Anniversary of District Head of Bashe in Burra District of Ningi Local Government, Alhaji Usman Idris Usman Parda which took place today in Kafin Lemo.
The Speaker who said traditional rulers are custodian of cultural heritage, peace, unity and vehicle through which government reach the people, are being relegated by the constitution as no power or role is assigned to them which is worsening the insecurity being faced in the country.
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“Many years ago, traditional rulers had central role and power in the affairs of the 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“These roles and powers are withdrawn but I must commend the District Head of Burra and Village Head of Bashe for appointing Fulani Heads (Hardo) in the area whom I believe will help you in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 the Nigeria’s Constitution recognise them” He explained.
Speaker Suleiman congratulated the monarch, Alhaji Usman Idris Parda on his 20th anniversary on the ancestral throne and all traditional title holders turbaned.
He also advised the people of the area to strictly adhere to NCDC’s safety protocols against covid-19 pandemic which he said is resurging.
In his address, the Executive Governor of Bauchi State His Excellency Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammad said his administration holds traditional institutions with high esteem, thus the reason he always accord them due respect.
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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.
