Headlines

Hausa Stakeholders Reject Senate Bill Elevating Only Sultan of Sokoto and Ooni of Ife as Co-Chairmen of National Traditional Rulers Council

Published

3 months ago

July 28, 2025

By: Fabian Apechihin

The Hausa people—alongside concerned citizens across Nigeria—strongly oppose the recent bill passed for second reading in the Nigerian Senate, which proposes the establishment of a National Council of Traditional Rulers, naming only the Sultan of Sokoto and the Ooni of Ife as permanent co-chairmen.

This proposal is ethnically skewed, historically inaccurate, and constitutionally indefensible. Nigeria is not a federation of two ethnic groups—Fulani and Yoruba. It is a multi-ethnic republic where fairness, historical representation, and federal character are foundational.

1. The Sultan of Sokoto Is a Religious Leader, Not a Traditional Ruler in the Cultural Sense

The Sultan of Sokoto holds the religious title Sarkin Musulmi, making him the spiritual head of Nigerian Muslims, particularly within the Fulani tradition. His primary roles include:

Declaring Ramadan and Eid moon sightings;
Representing Islamic interests at the national level;
Acting as patron of Miyetti Allah, a Fulani socio-cultural group.

These roles underscore a religious and ethnic identity, not a cultural kingship in the traditional Hausa sense. The Sultan himself has stated:

“I am Fulani through and through. If there is life after death, I would choose to return as Fulani.”

This affirmation makes clear he does not represent the Hausa people or the broader traditional landscape of Northern Nigeria. Elevating the Sultan as a national traditional leader excludes many others and confuses religious authority with cultural leadership.

If religious roles are to be elevated nationally, then Christian leaders, such as the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), must also be included to reflect Nigeria’s religious diversity.

2. Where Are the Hausa, Igbo, Kanuri, and Other Indigenous Nations?

If the bill aims to unify traditional leadership, it cannot ignore the presence of other ancient and legitimate civilizations:

Hausa city-states such as Daura, Kano, Zaria, and Katsina, which predate the Sokoto Caliphate and represent deep-rooted cultural legacies;
Igbo institutions, like the Obi of Onitsha and the Eze Nri, among many others;
The Kanuri monarchy, led by the Shehu of Borno, one of Africa’s oldest dynasties.

The exclusion of these kingdoms from national leadership is a deliberate marginalization. It’s especially concerning that Daura, the historical cradle of Hausa kingship, is overlooked in favor of Sokoto, which symbolizes Fulani imperial expansion, not indigenous Hausa rule.

3. The Bill Threatens National Unity and Institutionalizes Ethnic Favoritism

This bill undermines unity by promoting ethnic dominance. Elevating only two monarchs—from the Fulani and Yoruba ethnic groups—sends a dangerous message of ethnic superiority and fosters distrust among other nationalities.

No single monarch, however respected, can claim to represent the full cultural or religious spectrum of an entire region. The Ooni of Ife does not represent the Igbo, Ijaw, Urhobo, Ibibio, or other southern ethnicities. The Sultan of Sokoto does not speak for the Hausa, Kanuri, or Tiv of the North.

This is not merely about royal titles. It concerns truthful history, ethnic dignity, and equal citizenship in the Nigerian federation.

OUR POSITION & DEMANDS

We, the Concerned Hausa Stakeholders, demand the immediate withdrawal or total redrafting of the bill, guided by these principles:

If the bill is religious in nature, then Christian and Muslim leaders must be equally represented, reflecting Nigeria’s religious plurality.
If the bill is traditional in nature, it must be inclusive of all major ethnic nationalities: Hausa, Igbo, Kanuri, Tiv, Ijaw, Urhobo, Ibibio, and others—each with distinct, legitimate royal institutions.
National traditional leadership must be built on historical legitimacy, equity, and broad-based consultation—not on political favoritism or selective recognition.

We will resist any framework that seeks to erase or sideline the historical presence, cultural sovereignty, or institutional dignity of the Hausa people—or any other Nigerian ethnic group.

Issued by:
Concerned Hausa Stakeholders
Kaduna, Nigeria
Date: July 26, 2025

Signed:
Concerned Hausa Stakeholders

#HausaRejectsTheBill
#DauraNotSokoto
#SarkinMusulmiIsReligiousNotTraditional
#TraditionalJusticeNow
#NigeriaBelongsToAll
#EqualRecognitionNow
#NoToEthnicSupremacy

Let me know if you’d like this version formatted for a press release, flyer, or formal petition document.

Headlines

“Nigeria Is in a Hurry to Celebrate Victory Over Enemies of the State,” Says Tinubu as He Decorates New Service Chiefs

Published

2 days ago

October 30, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged the newly appointed service chiefs to discharge their duties with utmost dedication and renewed commitment, declaring that “Nigeria is in a hurry to celebrate victory over enemies of the state.”

The President made this statement on Thursday during the decoration ceremony of the new service chiefs with their ranks at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Those decorated were General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant-General Wahidi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, Air Marshal Kennedy Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and Vice Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff.

The ceremony was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima and the spouses of the newly promoted officers, who joined the President in performing the decorations.

In his address, Tinubu underscored the central role of security in fostering national development and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting the lives and property of all Nigerians.

“Security is an essential element without which everything else becomes meaningless,” the President stated. “There can be no sustainable development if this fundamental need is not met. Our people and our nation must remain secure to enjoy the dividends of governance.”

The elevation and decoration of the new military chiefs followed their confirmation by the National Assembly on Wednesday, after a closed-door screening session with lawmakers.

It will be recalled that, in a recent overhaul of the nation’s military hierarchy, President Tinubu appointed:

Lieutenant General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff,
Major General Waidi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff,
Rear Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff,
Air Vice Marshal Sunday Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and
Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye retained as Chief of Defence Intelligence.

The new appointments mark a strategic restructuring of Nigeria’s security leadership aimed at strengthening the fight against insurgency, banditry, and other threats to national stability.

Headlines

FG Dismisses Coup Rumour, Reaffirms Confidence in Nigerian Military

Published

2 weeks ago

October 20, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

The Federal Government has dismissed widespread rumours of an alleged military coup plot against President Bola Tinubu, declaring its full confidence in the loyalty and professionalism of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this known in an interview with The Punch on Sunday, insisting that the administration has “no reason whatsoever” to doubt the assurances given by the Defence Headquarters, which had earlier denied reports linking the detention of 16 military officers to a coup attempt.

“The Federal Government has no reason to doubt the military on what it has said,” Idris stated.
“We believe the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain committed to protecting the nation’s territorial integrity and strengthening the fight against insecurity. The government commends their sacrifice and will continue to support them in safeguarding the country.”

The minister’s remarks came a day after the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, firmly debunked a report by Sahara Reporters alleging that the detention of 16 officers was connected to a failed coup plot and the cancellation of the 65th Independence Day parade.

Gusau described the publication as “false, mischievous, and deliberately aimed at creating unnecessary tension and public distrust.”

He clarified that the cancellation of the October 1 Independence Day parade was a purely administrative decision — taken to allow President Tinubu attend a key bilateral meeting abroad and to enable military units sustain ongoing counterinsurgency operations nationwide.

On the issue of the detained officers, Gusau said their case was “an internal disciplinary process” and not related to any political matter.

“The investigation involving the 16 officers is routine, aimed at upholding discipline and professionalism within the ranks,” he explained. “An investigative panel has been constituted, and its findings will be made public in due course.”

Reaffirming the military’s constitutional role and unwavering commitment to civilian rule, Gusau stressed emphatically:

“Democracy is forever.”

Headlines

FG Moves to Reform Civil Service Disciplinary System for Greater Efficiency

Published

3 weeks ago

October 14, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

The Federal Government is set to overhaul the disciplinary control system in the civil service to promote efficiency, accountability, and timely resolution of cases.

The Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), Prof. Tunji Olaopa, made this known during a one-day joint retreat between the FCSC and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF).

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Commission’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Taiwo Hassan, Olaopa emphasized that the review would drive culture change, value reorientation, and improve the overall disciplinary framework in the public sector.

He likened the relationship between the FCSC and OHCSF to that of “Siamese twins,” noting that both bodies share crucial responsibilities in policy implementation, regulatory enforcement, and leadership across the service.

Olaopa also underscored the need for stronger collaboration and communication between the two institutions to avoid misunderstandings, build trust, and enhance service delivery.

The FCSC chairman further advocated for an integrated system that links merit-based recruitment, competency-driven human resource management, and performance evaluation with the civil service wage structure, saying such reforms would help reposition government as an “employer of choice.”

Speaking on behalf of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, Esther Walson-Jack praised Olaopa’s reform initiatives, describing the retreat as a renewed commitment to strengthening collaboration and efficiency within the civil service.

The renewed push for reform follows rising concerns about bureaucratic bottlenecks, delayed disciplinary actions, and weak accountability mechanisms in Nigeria’s public administration.