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Group Rejects Bill Seeking To Install Ooni, Sultan As Permanent Co-chairmen, Council Of Traditional Rulers
Group known as Ogbakha-Edo Indigenous Peoples Welfare Foundation has rejected a bill seeking to “constitutionally enshrine the Ooni of Ife and the Sultan of Sokoto as permanent co-chairmen of the Nigerian Council of Traditional Rulers at the National Assembly.
According to the group, the “ill-conceived and historically unjustifiable proposal is not only logically flawed but also provocative, divisive, and culturally offensive.”
Addressing journalists in Benin on Friday, Chairman of the group, Professor Sam Guobadia, flanked by General Secretary, Dr. Andrew Izekor and other executives and members of the group, said the bill in question at the National Assembly “represents a blatant attempt to institutionalize supremacy where none exists, and to exploit past protocols of convenience—wherein these rulers merely led delegations for the sake of political expediency—as a basis for permanent constitutional recognition.”
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The group added: “The Benin people, anchored in centuries of cultural pride and historical sovereignty, vehemently reject any move that seeks to subordinate the imperial and highly revered throne of the Oba of Benin to any other traditional or religious authority under the guise of national unity or representational balance.”
Ogbakha-Edo, while describing the Oba of Benin among the highest-ranking traditional rulers in Nigeria, said “it is absolutely unacceptable—indeed, an affront to justice and history—to diminish his stature through such unwarranted and biased constitutional manipulation.”
The group, while describing the bill as “politically motivated assault on the delicate balance and mutual respect that currently define inter-traditional relations in Nigeria,” stressed that “it threatens to upend centuries of coexistence, fuel regional discontent, and reignite historical grievances.”
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The group emphasized: “We reject in totality, any attempt to undermine or diminish the authority of the Oba of Benin.
“We find it highly inappropriate to perpetually subjugate the Oba of Benin by way of an illogical constitutional enactment.”
The group, therefore, demanded the “immediate withdrawal of the proposed bill in its entirety or make the position non-permanent and rotational amongst the first class traditional rulers.”
Ogbakha-Edo, also urged the “National Assembly to tread cautiously and not allow political maneuvering to destroy the dignity, balance, and integrity of Nigeria’s traditional institutions.”
News
Trump’s Airstrikes: Halt Military Cooperation With US Immediately – Sheikh Gumi Tells Tinubu Govt
Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has called on the Federal Government to immediately halt all military cooperation with the United States following reported US airstrikes.
Gumi warned that American involvement could worsen Nigeria’s security challenges and undermine national sovereignty.
Gumi made the call in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Friday.
He said while Islam permits the fight against terrorism, such actions should only be carried out by what he described as “clean hands,” arguing that the United States lacks the moral authority to lead such efforts because of its global military record.
READ ALSO:US Dept Of War Shares Video Of Air Strikes In Nigeria
According to the cleric, Nigeria made a mistake by allowing foreign powers to play a role in its counterterrorism operations, insisting that “terrorists do not truly fight terrorists” and that such interventions often result in civilian casualties and hidden political motives.
Gumi warned that allowing Nigeria to become a theatre of war would attract anti-US forces into the country, further destabilising it.
He also cautioned that US involvement, particularly under claims of protecting Christians, could polarise the country along religious lines.
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The cleric further argued that airstrikes alone cannot defeat terrorism, stressing that effective counterterrorism requires strong ground operations, which he said Nigeria has enough personnel to carry out if properly organised.
“This is the mistake Nigeria has made. Terrorists don’t fight terrorists in truth; they may only kill innocent people and have ulterior motives behind the drama of fighting ‘terror’.
“As a principle, no nation should allow its land to be a theater of war. And no nation should allow its neighbors to be their enemies.
“If Nigeria wants military assistance, China, Turkey, and Pakistan can do the job effectively,” part of his statement reads.
News
Shehu Sani Reacts To Trump’s Military Strikes In Nigeria
Former lawmaker, senator Shehu Sani, has reacted to reports of United States military strikes on terrorist targets in Nigeria’s North-West, saying foreign powers cannot permanently handle the country’s security challenges.
Sani made the remarks on Friday via his X handle while responding to a post by the United States Africa Command, AFRICOM, which indicated that the strikes were carried out in coordination with Nigerian authorities.
According to him, if the reported strikes were indeed a joint operation with Nigerian security agencies, then such action was justifiable, given the threat posed by terrorist groups in the region.
READ ALSO:US Dept Of War Shares Video Of Air Strikes In Nigeria
He described terrorists operating in parts of northern Nigeria as “cancerous cells,” stressing that they survive through violence and should be confronted decisively.
Sani also dismissed narratives suggesting that terrorist attacks target only one religious group, describing such claims as false and misleading.
He said: “If actually, the military strikes against the terrorists targets in the North Western part of Nigeria were a joint operation with the ‘Nigerian Authorities’ as posted by the US AFRICOM on their verified X handle, then it’s a conscionable action.
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“Terrorists have become cancerous cells in our part of the country.They live by the sword.The narrative that the evil terrorists only targets one faith, remains absolutely false and misleading.
“Again, the ultimate security and peace in our country lies with ourselves and not with the US or any foreign power. They can complimentarily or unilaterally strike, but they can’t eternally fight our battles.”
News
UKWU! Timaya Falls On Stage While Trying To Lift Plus-sized Woman During Performance [VIDEO]
Nigerian singer, Timaya fell on stage while trying to lift a plus-sized lady during performance.
The incident occurred during his ‘Ukwu’ performance at the Gbaramatu Christmas Carnival in Delta State.
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Timaya in a now trending video on social media collapsed after the plus-sized woman jumped on him midday into his performance.
The singer later got up and continued his performance amid cheers from the crowd.
Watch video here
https://x.com/hypetribeng/status/2004263337572684157?s=20
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