VICE President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has said that the Federal Government will consider the request for constitutional roles for traditional rulers in Nigeria. The Vice President stated this during a courtesy visit to the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, HRM Emmanuel Sideso, Abe I, at his palace in Effurun GRA, Uvwie council area of Delta state, Saturday. He stated that the federal Government will continue to support traditional institutions across the nation, emphasizing their importance to grassroots peace and security.

He said that traditional rulers have a major role to play in ensuring peace and security in the society hence they must not be taken for granted. Prof Osinbajo further commended the monarch for sustaining peace in Uvwie kingdom, noting that the area the area is regarded as the commercial nerve of the Delta State. Delta state Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, represented by his Deputy, Deacon Kingsley Otuaro, said the existing peace in the state was achieved with the collaboration of the traditional rulers .

In his remarks, the Ovie Of Uvwie appealed to the Vice President to assist in ensuring that the National Assembly revisited the request of the traditional institution for an amendment to the constitution that will give a constitutional role to traditional rulers. He lamented that the amendment for a constitutional role sought by the Monarch’s suffered setback in the Senate on Tuesday. Osinbajo was in the state to attend the burial ceremony of the late legal icon, Chief Patrick Ideh, who was among those that fought for the independence of Nigeria. In his entourage was the president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olumide Akpata.

Source: The Nation