Anambra Monarch Demands Restoration of Traditional Rulers Functions in Nigerian Constitution

By Uzo Ugwunze

The Chairman Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council and traditional ruler of Obosi Ukwalla kingdom, His Royal Majesty Igwe Chidubem Iweka, Eze Iweka III, has condemned the removal of the functions of the Traditional Rulers from the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria describing it as a huge mistake.

Eze Iweka made the declaration recently at the National Assembly, Abuja while presenting his proposal which contains a detailed documentation of the statistical representation of the population, infrastructure, revenue strength, strategic location, investment opportunities Obosi community possesses and the grassroot development and other benefits the creation of the LGAs will offer to Nigeria and her citizens.

The monarch, therefore, called for restoration of functions of traditional rulers in the country’s constitution. Hear him:

“I speak for the welfare of Ndi Igwe generally, in the state and the entire country. In 1979 Traditional rulers functions were removed from the constitution and since then traditional rulers had been functioning without proper government recognition and backing.

“I believe that it is a loss to the country because traditional rulers are the ones on ground and the people are still believing and depending on us in security,in tradition and otherwise.

“Now, to give you an example, when the Europeans came, they sought the help of traditional rulers that was why they appointed warrant chiefs in communities that did not have traditional rulers because they knew that only the traditional rulers even at that time when there was no government like we have now were the ones through whom they would effectively reach the people.

“Traditional Rulers have been relevant from time immemorial and still relevant until today. Despite the removal of the functions of traditional rulers from the constitution, the people still believe in us and still come to us in times of trouble,in times of trial and tribulations.

“Therefore, seeing the relevance whoever suggested, and whoever agreed to remove the functions of traditional rulers from the Constitution made great mistakes.

“It is total deprivation from not just the traditional rulers, but from the masses because if you look at the traditional rulers using Anambra state as an example, we the traditional rulers come from all walks of life. We have retired Army Generals, doctors, engineers.

“For Instance,in my committees, the one that represents us for media and communication is a retired media consultant. So,it is in various aspects of our lives and disciplines.

“Therefore, our functions are undermined, underestimated and underused. So,I put it to our people, the legislators, that it is very very necessary to restore the functions of the traditional rulers and give us constitutional roles so that we may do better jobs and engage properly in the governance of the nation.

The Anambra Traditional Rulers chairman also called for the creation of three Local Government Area out of Obosi Community which is currently in Idemili North LGA , Anambra State saying that the vastness, population and development of the community qualifies it for multiple LGAs.

“My name is Igwe Chidubem Iweka,Eze Iweka III of Obosi kingdom in Anambra state. I am here to talk about my kingdom,I am the Chairman of Traditional Rulers in Anambra state but I am here to speak about my town obosi.

” I have a memo here to to present about Obosi kingdom in terms of population,in terms of vastness of the community. Obosi stretches from the banks of the River Niger inwards. It is a very big muscle why today obosi a town that is large enough should still remain as just a community under another LGA, a town that has over 10% of the entire votes of Anambra state made up of roughly 180 communities. Obosi has about 10% of the votes of the entire State put together due to its sense population.

“Obosi has 15 urban communities, yet it is a community and not a local government. I am here to present a memo that is so well written with facts and figures and we are demanding for 3 local governments in Obosi kingdom.

“So, please I want this our memo to be looked into passionately because this is a community that if situated in certain parts of Nigeria, four LGAs could be carved out it, but Obosi community is now still under Idemili North government with some other communities”, said Eze Iweka III.