Insecurity: Osinbajo Urges Traditional Rulers To Synergize With FG

By Akinwale Kasali

Nigeria’s Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, has urged Traditional Rulers in Delta State to partner with the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to curb insecurity in the South-south region.

The Vice President had visited the State for the burial of Chief Ideh who died on December 22, 2021, and was buried on 1st January, 2022, but the reception was held over the weekend.

Osinbajo visited the newly crowned Ogiame Awutste 111, Olu of Warri, Tsola Emiko.

He said that it was a special pleasure to have visited the ancient and historic City of Warri, urging the Olu of Warri to synergize with the Federal Government in tackling insecurity in the nation, as this menace has affected the effective growth and development of the nation.

He added that Traditional Rulers like the Ogiame Awutste 111, Olu of Warri, are pivotal in achieving the needed peace and development of the region whereby people can go ahead with their day to day activities without any security threat to their livelihood.

“Nigeria is at a stage where it is facing several challenges, mostly insecurity, we need the Traditional Rulers who are institutions to assist in curbing this menace”.

The Vice President had arrived Warri via the Osubi Airstrips in company of the President of the Nigeria Bar Association, Olumide Akpata, and was received by the Delta State Deputy Governor, Deacon Kingsley Otuaro.

He also visited the Ovie of Uvwie, HRM Dr Emmanuel Sideso, Abe 1 where he was treated to a warm reception.

At the Palace of Ovwie, Osinbajo was told of how the Senate thrashed the presentation made by Traditional Rulers who were seeking constitutional role for Nigerian Monarchs.

The Uvwie monarch told Osinbajo that Traditional Rulers were highly disappointed when their request for entrenchment of constitutional role for Kings was not mentioned by the Senate in the constitutional amendment, saying ‘traditional rulers were not happy about it’.

He, therefore, appealed to Vice President Osinbajo to ensure the role of Traditional Rulers was entrenched in the constitution by the National Assembly owing to the important role of peace- making at the grassroots.

In his response, Prof. Osinbajo acknowledged the role of traditional rulers in peace making in the society and commended the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom; HRM Dr. Emmanuel Sideso, for his role in sustaining the peace in Uvwie.

He assured that he would reintroduce the issue before the National Assembly for consideration.

Specifically, the Vice President said that in view of the fact that Traditional Rulers are more in touch with the grass roots there was need for the National Assembly to give them constitutional roles.

He prayed that with the level of politics gathering momentum the National Assembly would be able to finish their constitutional duty and amend the constitution.

According to him, ‘the President also wants some constitutional role for traditional ruler’.

Delta State Governor 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.

Governor Okowa thanked the vice president for the visit to the state and assured him that Delta State will continue to remain peaceful so as to attract more attention and development projects from the Federal Government.