A committee comprising state governors and traditional rulers was tasked with compiling key recommendations to be included in a bill to establish a National Council of Traditional Leaders.

The 15-member committee, chaired by Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, is tasked with harmonizing recommendations to clarify the role of traditional rulers in ensuring security at the local level.

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State revealed the decision after the inaugural dialogue between the Nigeria Governors Forum and the monarchs, held on Wednesday at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.

Governor Abiodun said the meeting discussed the need for community policing, intelligence sharing and the role of traditional rulers in ensuring the safety of their local communities.

He said: “We agreed that a joint committee comprising governors and our traditional rulers should be set up. This committee will ensure that it includes the various remarks and comments made by those present today, reflecting the desires of those they represent, in order to create a robust document.

“All inputs will be synthesized to ensure that the document presented to the National Assembly is comprehensive and inclusive, empowering our Royal Majesties and Highnesses and involving them in governance, peace and security across the country, including the FCT. “

On the committee’s timeline, Abiodun said: “Based on the terms of reference, they were given four to six weeks to complete the assignment and submit it before the next meeting. »

In early October, a bill sponsored by Senator Simon Lalong of Plateau Sud to create a National Council of Traditional Rulers passed first reading in the Senate.

The National Council of Traditional Rulers (Establishment) Bill, 2024 (SB. 546) seeks to define the constitutional roles of traditional institutions to more effectively address national challenges. It also aims to give traditional rulers constitutional responsibilities in resolving issues such as insecurity, peacebuilding and inter-communal conflicts.

Lalong, a former governor of Plateau State and chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, is a long-time advocate of integrating traditional rulers into the constitutional framework.