A committee comprising state governors and traditional rulers has been mandated to compile key recommendations to be included in a bill to establish a National Council of Traditional Rulers.

The 15-member committee chaired by Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, will harmonise recommendations to clarify the role of traditional rulers in ensuring security at the grassroots.

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State revealed this to journalists after the maiden dialogue between the Nigeria Governors? Forum and the traditional rulers held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.

Abiodun said parties discussed the need for community policing, intelligence sharing and the role of traditional rulers in ensuring security in their local communities.

He explained that, ?We agreed that a joint committee of governors and our traditional rulers should be set up, and that committee should seek to ensure that the various remarks and comments that were made from those that are here present reflect the desires of those that they represent should be included to make for a robust document;

?All that should be synthesised so that whatever document will be presented to the National Assembly will be a very comprehensive, inclusive document that seeks to empower our royal majesties and highnesses more and to involve them in governance, peace and security of our various states across the country, including the FCT.?

When asked how long the committee has to complete its assignment, Abiodun replied, ?Based on the terms of reference, they?ve been given the next four to six weeks to complete the assignment and submit it before the next meeting.?

In early October, a bill aimed at establishing a National Council of Traditional Rulers successfully passed its first reading in the Senate.

The bill was sponsored by Senator Simon Lalong of Plateau South.

The National Council of Traditional Rulers (Establishment) Bill, 2024 (SB. 546) seeks to define constitutional roles for traditional institutions to better address national challenges.

It aims to empower traditional rulers with constitutional responsibilities in tackling issues such as insecurity, peace-building, and inter-community disputes.

Lalong, a former governor of Plateau State and Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum has been a long-time advocate for the inclusion of traditional rulers in the constitutional framework. (The PUNCH)

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