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• July 29, 2025
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Traditional Rulers Council: Ohanaeze rejects bill to make Sultan, Ooni permanent chairmen

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has condemned the bill currently before the Senate seeking to permanently elevate the Ooni of Ife and the Sultan of Sokoto as the exclusive co-chairmen of the Traditional Rulers Council. The publicity secretary of the group, Ezechi Chukwu, in a press statement, stated that the move would be at the expense
Traditional Rulers Council: Ohanaeze rejects bill to make Sultan, Ooni permanent chairmen

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has condemned the bill currently before the Senate seeking to permanently elevate the Ooni of Ife and the Sultan of Sokoto as the exclusive co-chairmen of the Traditional Rulers Council.

The publicity secretary of the group, Ezechi Chukwu, in a press statement, stated that the move would be at the expense of apex traditional rulers from other ethnic nationalities and geopolitical divides.

Chukwu added that the socio-cultural organisation is astounded by the rationale behind what he termed an asymmetric bill by the Senate, with its utter disregard for fairness, equity, justice and the principle of federal character as enshrined in the constitution.

“The Senate in this vein has failed in its capacity as the highest legislative carrier and custodian of the nation’s democratic mandate.
This bill is not only inequitable, discriminatory and ethnocentric, it is equally distasteful, reprehensible and objectionable,” he stated.

The group’s spokesperson further described the bill as lacking all ethical considerations, objective metrics and unbiased criteria for national unity and social justice in a heterogeneous nation like Nigeria.

He asserted that Ohanaeze Ndigbo is calling for the urgent withdrawal of the bill and for it to be reviewed in consideration of ethnic differences, cultural sensitivity, geopolitical balance, inclusive governance and equitable representation.

The group maintained that only by doing so would the bill foster national unity, peaceful coexistence and social stability.

In a similar vein, the Middle Belt Forum, MBF, has also expressed firm opposition to the bill, describing it as an attempt to institutionalise the Sultan of Sokoto as the permanent co-chairman of the revered council.

The group, through its national spokesperson, Luka Binniyat, argued that historically the Sokoto Caliphate is a relatively young institution compared to the ancient kingdoms and confederacies in the Middle Belt, citing the Kwararafa ancient royal stool as an example.

The group further argued that there is no way the Sultan of Sokoto can supersede the Aku of Wukari in status, let alone sit over him in the council.

The spokesperson added that the Sultan is primarily a religious figurehead and not a secular traditional ruler, noting that giving him a permanent position would alienate Christians and traditional worshippers.

The group, in its statement, insisted that if the Senate went ahead to pass the bill into law, it would mobilise all ethnic nationalities across the Middle Belt to boycott participation in the council.

Traditional Rulers Council: Ohanaeze rejects bill to make Sultan, Ooni permanent chairmen

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Abia government to conduct integrity test on every building above two floors

The General Manager of the Umuahia Capital Development Authority, UCDA, Mr Kingsley Agomuo, has said that the Abia State Government would carry out a thorough investigation into the recently collapsed three-storey building in Umuahia. He also said that the government would conduct integrity tests on every building above two floors in the state. Agomuo, who
Abia government to conduct integrity test on every building above two floors

The General Manager of the Umuahia Capital Development Authority, UCDA, Mr Kingsley Agomuo, has said that the Abia State Government would carry out a thorough investigation into the recently collapsed three-storey building in Umuahia.

He also said that the government would conduct integrity tests on every building above two floors in the state.

Agomuo, who stated this on Tuesday at the Government House, Umuahia, during a press briefing on this week’s executive council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti, explained that the integrity tests were to ensure that citizens are fully protected in any building they occupy.

Agomuo said that the state government has zero tolerance for professional misconduct and will do everything possible to ensure that the lives of citizens in the state are protected.

“In addition, every building above two floors is going to be subjected to an integrity test. This is to assure every citizen that the places you are staying, you are fully protected, and such incidents will not reoccur going forward.

“Every building before now will be subjected to integrity tests, while new ones will definitely follow the building regulations and standards,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, disclosed that the Abia State Ministry of Lands and Housing would carry out an aerial imagery survey of Abia’s 4,795.74 square kilometres, including radar and 2D line mapping of Aba and Umuahia.

The commissioner explained that the initiative was to strengthen the ministry’s efficiency in service delivery and other functions of the Ministry of Lands and Housing.

Abia government to conduct integrity test on every building above two floors