From Jude Chinedu, Enugu
Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has criticised a bill in the Senate seeking to make the Ooni of Ife and Sultan of Sokoto the exclusive co-chairmen of the Traditional Rulers’ Council, describing it as discriminatory and harmful to national unity.
In a statement yesterday, the National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Dr Ezechi Chukwu, expressed shock over what he called an ‘asymmetric’ proposal, saying it undermines the principles of fairness, equity and federal character as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.
“We are profoundly astounded by the rationale behind such an asymmetric bill by the Senate, with its utter disregard for fairness, equity, justice and the principle of federal character.
“The Senate, in this vein, has failed in its capacity as the highest legislative carrier and custodian of the nation’s democratic mandate,” Chukwu said.
Ohanaeze further described the bill as “inequitable, ethnocentric and objectionable,” insisting that it has no place in a pluralistic nation like Nigeria.
“This bill is not only inequitable, discriminatory and ethnocentric, it is equally distasteful, reprehensible and objectionable. It lacks all the ethical considerations, objective metrics and unbiased categories for national unity and social justice,” he added.
He called for the immediate withdrawal of the bill, stressing the need for a more inclusive approach that reflects Nigeria’s ethnic and cultural diversity.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo, therefore, calls for the urgent withdrawal of the bill and the need to review it in consideration of ethnic differences, cultural sensitivity, geopolitical balance, inclusive governance and equitable representation.
“It is only by doing so that the bill can foster national unity, peaceful co-existence and social stability,” he said.