News
The National Traditional Council Gamble
By: Fabian Apechihin
The proposed Traditional Rulers Council Bill before the Senate is stirring intense controversy and threatening to inflame Nigeria’s already fragile socio-political atmosphere. Sponsored by Senator Simon Lalong (APC, Plateau South) and first introduced in October 2024, the bill has passed its second reading. But the strong backlash from various quarters suggests it faces steep resistance before it can become law. Whatever merits its sponsors envision are being drowned out by the uproar — and the dream of a National Council of Traditional Rulers may not survive this generation.
The idea is not new. Lawmakers have long debated constitutional amendments to give traditional rulers a greater role in governance. On paper, such a move could strengthen Nigeria’s political architecture. But timing matters — and now is a particularly sensitive moment. Deep-seated ethnic, religious, and regional tensions mean any perceived slight or structural imbalance triggers immediate hostility.
Though Senator Lalong has denied it, reports claim the bill grants the Ooni of Ife and Sultan of Sokoto permanent co-chairmanship of the council. Whether fact, misprint, or fabrication, the perception alone has touched a raw nerve. Ethnicity — one of the last tangible links to heritage for many Nigerians — now appears under threat.
For decades, politicians have exploited divisions of region, religion, and ethnicity to their own advantage, often pitting communities against each other while shared hardship unites them in reality. In this climate, elevating two thrones — symbols of Fulani and Yoruba heritage — above all others risks being seen as institutionalised domination.
The sharpest condemnation so far has come from the Kaduna-based Concerned Hausa Stakeholders, who call the bill “ethnically biased, historically misleading, and constitutionally indefensible.” Their statement rejects any arrangement that sidelines Nigeria’s multi-ethnic reality:
“Nigeria is not a two-ethnic federation of Fulani and Yoruba… To recognise only the Sultan and the Ooni is a deliberate marginalisation of other Nigerian civilisations… This bill promotes ethnic hierarchy, not unity.”
The pushback isn’t limited to the north. The Ijaw National Congress warns that “no traditional ruler from another tribe or religion is superior to another” and labels the proposal “highly insensitive and dangerous.” The Benin socio-cultural body Ogbakha-Edo calls it “ill-conceived, provocative, and culturally offensive,” rejecting any attempt to subordinate the Oba of Benin’s throne. Ohaneze Ndigbo brands it “inequitable, discriminatory, and ethnocentric,” adding that it lacks the ethical grounding needed for unity in a pluralist state.
The grievances go beyond specific ethnic groups. Tiv and Igala voices, among others, echo similar outrage. At its core, the opposition warns against formalising a hierarchy that entrenches Fulani and Yoruba dominance — particularly in a democracy where these groups already enjoy significant political clout through voter numbers and federal appointments.
If a national council must exist, many argue, its leadership should rotate equitably among Nigeria’s diverse traditional institutions rather than being permanently anchored in Sokoto and Ife. Anything less risks deepening fault lines in a country already stretched thin by mistrust.
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The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to maintain the status quo in a dispute over the party’s candidates emerging from the Benue State APC primaries for the 2027 general election.
The order was made on Thursday by Justice Inyang Ekwo during proceedings in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1429/2026, filed by Engr. Sesugh Akaagba and other aggrieved APC candidates from Benue State against the APC and INEC.
The plaintiffs had, through an ex parte motion filed on July 5, 2026, sought six interim reliefs, including an order restraining the APC from substituting its validly nominated candidates in Benue State through its June 29, 2026 correspondence, or any subsequent communication, to INEC, pending determination of the substantive suit.
They also sought an order compelling the APC to immediately transmit to INEC the names of candidates validly nominated during the primaries monitored by the electoral commission.
When the matter first came up on July 8, 2026, the court declined to grant the interim application immediately, directing both APC and INEC to appear and respond before any decision was taken. The matter was adjourned to July 16.
At Thursday’s proceedings, counsel representing the APC and INEC were present in court, while the plaintiffs were represented by Mohammed Ndarani, SAN, alongside his legal team.
In his ruling, Justice Ekwo held that since issues had been joined by the parties particularly with INEC now before the court, the defendants were required by law to preserve the subject matter of the litigation pending determination of the substantive suit.
When counsel to the plaintiffs urged the court to caution APC and INEC against taking any further action that could affect the disputed list of candidates, the judge responded that it was “not a matter of advice but of law,” stressing that the defendants were bound to maintain the status quo.
The court consequently restrained APC and INEC from taking any action capable of altering the disputed list of candidates pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
The defendants did not object to the restraining order.
At the commencement of proceedings, the court noted that all parties had voluntarily submitted to its jurisdiction by duly filing and exchanging their respective processes.
It held that there was no procedural or jurisdictional impediment to the expeditious determination of the substantive action, and directed that the matter be heard without further delay.
In furtherance of the objective of preserving the res and safeguarding the efficacy of the judicial process, the court ordered all parties to maintain the status quo pending the hearing and final determination of the substantive suit, restraining any act or omission capable of prejudicing the rights of the parties or rendering the proceedings nugatory.
The court further directed that INEC be served forthwith with the originating and all consequential processes.
The effect of the subsisting order is that INEC is restrained from tampering with the existing list of candidates pending final determination of the suit, and from receiving, recognising, or acting upon any purported substituted list of National Assembly candidates from Benue State submitted by the APC.
The matter was adjourned to July 21, 2026, for hearing of the substantive suit.
Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and former First Lady Patience Ibifaka Jonathan recently celebrated a significant family milestone as they attended the graduation ceremony of their son, Ariara Goodluck Jonathan, at Manchester Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom.
The proud parents joined family members and well-wishers to witness Ariara receive his degree, marking the successful completion of his academic programme. The occasion was filled with joy as the Jonathan family commemorated the achievement, highlighting the importance they place on education and personal development.
The graduation ceremony attracted warm congratulatory messages from friends, associates, and admirers, who wished the graduate continued success in his future endeavours.
The Following names joined the political family of Sen. Dr. George Akume today after leaving the sinking Alia ship .
Under the leadership of Barr. Emmanuel Jime .
The are ;
Chief Nelson Alapa
Douglas pepe SAN senatorial Aspirant zone A,
Engr Peter Ashiekaa
QS Clement Beetseh
Former commissioners
Joy Luga
Ann itodo
Barr martins Shaagee
Miss Dorcas
Prof Usar Joseh
Prof Cephas Tushima
Chief Patrick Idoko
Hon Patience Akor
Hon Fred Idoko
Hon Lawrence Ekpo Onoja Jnr
Hon Andrew Abah
Hon Agbo Innocent Ikwumonu
Hon Simon Omachoko
Hon David Egboja
Dr John Garba
Among together,
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