Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo has suggested that constitutional roles ought to be assigned to traditional rulers to fight insecurity in the country.
Uzodinma made the suggestion in Abuja on Wednesday when he hosted traditional rulers from the southern part of the country.
He observed that traditional rulers had a key role to play in ensuring security to sustain the unity and political stability of the country.
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“Some of us have argued strongly that constitutional roles be given to traditional rulers.
“Issues of insecurity; all types of criminality, kidnapping, banditry, quasi-terrorism have held this country down for the past couple of years to ransom.
“If we must cure this menace, we must start from the roots. The landlords of the country are the traditional rulers.
“So, you have to partner with the government. It doesn’t matter which political party or government you like, let us all help to tackle the problem,” he said.
Uzodinma who is the Chairman Progressives Governors’ Forum further said: Community security, vigilance arrangements start with traditional rulers; and so we cannot do without you.
“I invite you not to shy away from your responsibilities, identify with the government of the day. You are like barracks; soldier come, soldier goes, barracks still remain”.
He, however, appreciated the traditional rulers for believing in the unity of the country, saying that if the country was not united, there would not be any country.
Uzodinma also said that the Federal Government was interested to partner with traditional rulers to have a united country.
In his speech, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, said that as traditional leaders of the southern part of the country, they came together to ensure a secured region and the nation at large.
He said that the maiden visit by the traditional rulers of southern part of the country was to seek collaboration with the governors.
“We realised that it is better we come together for the betterment of our people, including our various subjects in the political arena.
“We need to guide them and guard them right because we are closer to our people and we know the challenges we are having in our country.
“We want to try as much as possible to form a strong and formidable force and this has come to stay; we are not particular about hierarchy or any structure or things that will divide us.
“What we believe is that we shall promote the ideals of the country irrespective of political, religious difference or cultural diversity,” he said.
