14th October 2025
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and his Imo State counterpart, Governor Hope Uzodimma, have called for constitutional backing for traditional rulers, describing them as vital players in the nation’s governance and development.
They made the call on Monday at the opening of the 2025 National Executive Committee Meeting of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, held at the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island.
Speaking as the host governor, Sanwo-Olu stressed the need for clearly defined roles for traditional rulers in the Nigerian Constitution.
He noted that despite their long-standing influence and moral authority, traditional rulers remain “respected but not officially empowered.”
The governor described traditional rulers as “the trusted bridge that connects state institutions with community realities,” adding that they play a crucial role in maintaining peace, resolving conflicts, and ensuring effective grassroots governance.
“Our administration will also continue to support the advocacy — both at national and local levels — for a clearly defined, constitutionally recognised role for traditional institutions, in line with the changing landscape of governance and nation-building,” he affirmed.
On his part, Uzodimma said the absence of constitutional roles for traditional rulers did not mean an absence of function.
“I can tell you today without fear of equivocation that your relevance is not in question, was never in doubt and would never be in doubt. What is questionable is the failure of the system to give legal backing to a role it already depends on,” he said.
He added, “Truth is, traditional rulers represent the cultural and customary identity of the people. They serve as the unifying forces that bind our people together. The evidence of our history shows that our royal fathers have continued to play these roles, with or without constitutional protection.”
0 Comments