Ohanaeze Ndigbo Rejects Senate Bill Naming Ooni, Sultan as Permanent Co-Chairs

Ohanaeze Ndigbo has strongly opposed the proposed Senate bill seeking to designate the Ooni of Ife and the Sultan of Sokoto as permanent co-chairmen of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria. The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation said the move is lopsided and ignores the traditional authority of other ethnic groups in the country. According to the group, such a bill promotes ethnic dominance and does not reflect the federal character of Nigeria’s traditional institutions.

They stressed that traditional rulership in Nigeria is diverse and rooted in deep cultural histories, and no two institutions should be given permanent supremacy over others. Ohanaeze argued that the bill, if passed, would elevate two ethnic groups above others and risk creating unnecessary tension and division among the country's various regions. They called on the Senate to ensure fairness, equity, and inclusion in national policymaking, especially on sensitive matters involving traditional leadership.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo recommended a rotational system where all geopolitical zones are allowed to lead the council at different times. The group urged lawmakers to withdraw the bill and instead engage in consultations with traditional rulers and stakeholders across the country.

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