Conference calls for constitutional roles for traditional rulers

The need for clearly defined constitutional roles for traditional rulers in the country has again been brought to the fore.

The call is contained in an eight point communique issued by the participants at the end of a one-day seminar for traditional  rulers and stakeholders  held  in Asaba, Delta State.

Participants at the conference with the theme: ‘’Building prosperous and peaceful kingdoms in Delta State,” recommended that traditional rulers should be mainstreamed into the security architecture of the state and their localities.

The communique jointly signed by the Vice Chancellor, Dennis Osadebe University, Anwai, Asaba, Professor Ben Oghojafor, the Obi of Owa and Chairman, Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers, Dr Emmanuel Efeizomor II, and the Special Adviser to the Delta State Governor on Chieftaincy Matters and Judiciary, and Chairman, Prerogative of Mercy Committee, Dr A.K Osawota, called for appropriate measures to promote increased synergy between monarchs and political leadership at various local government areas for better results.

The participants underscored the urgent need to restore quarterly meetings comprising the state governor, local government chairmen and traditional rulers, to enhance a better working relationship among stakeholders.

The conference specifically harped on the need for strict adherence to laid down procedures guiding succession to traditional ruler titles as provided by law.

The stakeholders insisted that reverence for traditional rulers should be sustained as they were the closest authority to the grassroots.

They also called for the creation of an enabling law to curb what participants referred to as excesses of President Generals of Community Development Unions across the state.

Two papers critical to building prosperous and peaceful kingdoms in Delta State were presented by renowned scholars.