National conference: Royal father makes case for traditional institutions

[Mirror]

A Traditional Ruler and renowned architect, Prof. Demas Nwoko, on Thursday urged inclusion of discussions on the constitutional roles of traditional institutions, at the proposed national conference. Nwoko, a Traditional Ruler in Idumuje Ugboko, Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta, made the suggestion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Asaba.

He said that traditional institutions were involved in governance in the country by ensuring peace at the grassroots. The traditional ruler urged that the roles of traditional rulers should be clearly spelt out in Nigeria's Constitution.

"Traditional institutions have been left out completely in this country but they are the ones doing the true governance.

"They ensure the maintenance of law and order in villages; when there is a problem, politicians run away and leave the problem for traditional rulers. "There will be no viable government in this country as long as it fails to recognise the fourth tier of the government, which is the traditional institutions,'' Nwoko said.

He described the proposed national conference as a platform for common men in rural areas to make contributions on how they should co-exist. Nwoko urged the Federal Government to give opportunities to all nationalities to make genuine contributions during the conference, adding that their decisions should be subjected to a referendum.

"We are against sending the report to the National Assembly for ratification because the members do not represent the interest of the people. They are politicians with only their own interests."