UYO
Abasi (Ibibio, Annang, Efik, Oro, Ekid, Obolo, and Ekoi) People Foundation – APF, representing 38 Local Government Areas in Akwa Ibom and Cross River States join other nationalities in Nigeria to oppose an unacceptable bill. The rejected bill before the National Assembly seeking to establish a National Council of Traditional Rulers with the Sultan of Sokoto and the Ooni of Ife as permanent co-chairmen is another example of marginalisation and exploitation of the minorities.
In a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House of Representatives Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, the group described the proposal as “a brazen and repugnant attempt to codify ethnic supremacy,” warning that it violates the constitutional principle of equality.
APF argued that the bill, if passed, would marginalize and exploit other traditional institutions and elevate two ethnic thrones above others, in contravention of Section 42(2) of the 1999 Constitution which prohibits discrimination based on ethnicity or origin.
“The establishment of a National Council of Traditional Rulers should be a unifying force, not a tool for division,” the foundation said, insisting that leadership of such a council must be rotational or structured as a council of equals to reflect Nigeria’s diversity.
Abasi People, the country’s fourth-largest ethnic bloc, join other ethnic nationalities to demand the immediate withdrawal of the bill, urging lawmakers to “consign this ill-conceived proposal to the dustbin of history” in the interest of national unity and justice.
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