Igwe Eze Chimamkpa, a traditional ruler from Imo, has called for the alteration of the 1999 constitution to create a role for traditional rulers given their closeness to the people at the grassroots.

Chimamkpa, made the call at the House of Representatives Open Legislative Week in Abuja.

The topic is “Demand for Constitutional Role for Traditional rulers in the Country’’ which offered an opportunity for the citizens to interface with the lawmakers on diverse issues affecting good governance.

The royal father, while discussing the role of traditional rulers in strengthening democracy said, with spelt out constitutional roles, the traditional rulers could help reduce the problem of insecurity.

He, however, said that the challenge affecting the traditional institution in tackling the problem of insecurity is finance, adding that most times we run to the authorities for assistance.

“If you are not financially buoyant as the traditional, then you cannot do much for the people and country,” he said.

In the same vein, the President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Yakubu Maikyau also said that the traditional institution was very important and critical for the resolution of security in the country.

He added that traditional rulers require funds to function effectively, adding that “no matter how important an institution is, if not well funded it cannot perform well’’.

Maikyau stressed the need for adequate legislative framework for the traditional institution to operate.

“Some of the laws are archaic; they don’t allow the traditional institution to perform in dealing with the present security issues.

“I would like to recommend that a constitutional role be created for the traditional institution. If we have all agreed they are important,’’ he said.

He said that this is because they provide solutions to security challenges, adding that it is high time the lawmakers do something concerning the legislative framework.

“Traditional rulers must be given recognition through the requisite laws. Their status must be backed by law to handle security issues,’’ he said.

Rep. Nwachukwu Chukwugozie, Chairman, House Committee on Inter-governmental Affairs, said the open legislature was strategic and timely.

He said, traditional rulers are closer to the grassroots and are supposed to benefit from the democratic dividends, adding that they operate in all the nooks and crannies of Nigeria.

“I support the issue of state police 100 percent, and if this bill scales through, we must make a provision that traditional rulers must be part and parcel of such a process.

“They are central to the peace and tranquility we enjoy, they must be given power to be fully involved,’’ he said.

He advised traditional rulers to separate politics from governance in their areas to reduce clash of interest that create problems in the community.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris has stated that the Federal Government (FG) signed the Samoa Agreement in the interest of the country.

In a statement on Thursday, Idris said Nigeria’s endorsement was accompanied by a Statement of Declaration, dated 26th June 2024, clarifying its understanding and context of the Agreement within its jurisdiction to the effect that any provision that is inconsistent with the laws of Nigeria shall be invalid.

“It is instructive to note that there is an existing legislation against same sex relationship in Nigeria enacted in 2014,” He said.

The Minister further went on to assure Nigerians that the President Bola Tinubu Administration is a rule-based government and will not enter into any international agreement that will be detrimental to the interest of the country and its citizens.

“In negotiating the Agreement, our officials strictly followed the mandates exchanged in 2018 between the EU and the OACPS for the process.

“Nigeria signed the Agreement on Friday 28 June 2024. This was done after the extensive reviews and consultations by the Interministerial Committee, convened by the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning (FMBEP) in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and Federal Ministry of Justice (FMOJ).

“It was ensured that none of the 103 Articles and Provisions of the Agreement contravenes the 1999 Constitution as amended or laws of Nigeria, and other extant Laws.

“The Samoa Agreement is nothing but a vital legal framework for cooperation between the OACPS and the European Union, to promote sustainable development, fight climate change and its effects, generate investment opportunities, and foster collaboration among OACPS Member States at the international stage,” Idris noted.

On 28 June 2024, Nigeria signed the Samoa Agreement at the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS) Secretariat in Brussels, Belgium. The partnership agreement is between the EU and its Member States, on one hand, and the members of the OACPS on the other.

Negotiations on the agreement started in 2018, on the sidelines of the 73rd United Nations General Assembly. It was signed in Apia, Samoa on the 15th of November 2018 by all 27 EU Member states and 47 of the 79 OACPS Member states.

The agreement has 103 articles comprising a common foundational compact and three regional protocols, namely: Africa –EU; Caribbean-EU, and Pacific-EU Regional Protocols with each regional protocol addressing the peculiar issues of the regions.

The African Regional Protocol consists of two parts. The first is the Framework for Cooperation, while the second deals with Areas of Cooperation, containing Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth and Development; Human and Social Development; Environment, Natural Resources Management, and Climate Change; Peace and Security; Human Rights, Democracy and Governance; and Migration and Mobility.