Subject: Rejection of Senate Bill Elevating Only Sultan of Sokoto and Ooni of Ife as Permanent Co-Chairmen of National Council of Traditional Rulers
The Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), on behalf of the Igbo nation and in solidarity with other marginalized indigenous nationalities of Nigeria, vehemently rejects the discriminatory and divisive Senate bill that proposes to create a National Council of Traditional Rulers with only the Sultan of Sokoto and the Ooni of Ife as permanent co-chairmen.
This bill, which has passed a second reading in the Nigerian Senate, is ethno-political injustice codified into legislation. It is not only a betrayal of Nigeria’s federal character principle but a calculated attempt to marginalize and suppress the cultural sovereignty of other indigenous civilizations like the Igbo, Hausa, Kanuri, Tiv, Ijaw, Urhobo, Ibibio, and many others.
Therefore Ohanaeze Youth Council(OYC) ably led by Comrade Igboayaka O Igboayaka after an emergency National Working Committee(NWC) Meeting at Enugu on 28th July 2025 Resolved As Follows:
- Igbo Traditional Institutions Are Among the Oldest in Africa
The Igbo nation is rooted in one of Africa’s oldest democratic and decentralized traditional systems, with revered institutions such as:
The Obi of Onitsha, a globally recognized royal stool;
The Eze Nri, whose spiritual authority pre-dates many West African monarchies;
Numerous paramount traditional rulers across the South-East region, each embodying the history, culture, and values of their people.
The deliberate exclusion of these ancient institutions from the proposed National Council is a direct attack on Igbo heritage and identity. It is an affront to equity, federalism, and historical reality.
- Nigeria Is Not a Binary Ethnic State
Nigeria is not a two-nation federation of Yoruba and Fulani. Any national institution, especially one that claims to represent traditional rulership, must reflect the plurality of the Nigerian people. The elevation of the Ooni and Sultan alone amounts to ethnic favoritism and hegemonic manipulation.
It must be noted that:
The Sultan of Sokoto, while respected, is primarily a religious leader and Fulani authority figure, not a pan-Northern traditional head.
The Ooni of Ife cannot and does not speak for the Igbo, Ijaw, Urhobo, or any other non-Yoruba ethnic groups.
- Igbo Youths Will Resist Institutionalized Ethnic Supremacy
The Ohanaeze Youth Council will not tolerate a national structure that erases the place of Igbo traditional leadership from Nigeria’s symbolic or operational governance. We categorically reject any attempt to subdue the Igbo civilization under an imposed binary monarchy.
This bill is a dangerous attempt to institutionalise ethnic supremacy and undermine the contributions of other nationalities toward Nigeria’s unity and progress.
OUR DEMANDS
We hereby call on the Nigerian Senate, the Federal Government, and all relevant stakeholders to:
- Withdraw or fundamentally redraft the bill to reflect Nigeria’s ethnic and cultural diversity.
- Recognize the Obi of Onitsha, Eze Nri, and other notable Igbo traditional rulers in any national council involving traditional leadership.
- Ensure that the principles of federal character, historical accuracy, and inclusive representation guide any national institution traditional or otherwise.
- If the Council is religious in nature, then CAN (Christian Association of Nigeria) and Islamic authorities must both be equitably represented.
- Initiate a national conference on traditional leadership structure to harmonize and respectfully integrate all ethnic groups and their institutions.
We declare: No ethnic group has the monopoly of legitimacy over Nigeria’s traditional heritage.
Any law or council that fails to recognize the historical civilizations of the Igbo, Hausa, Kanuri, Ijaw, Urhobo, Tiv, and others is null and void in moral, constitutional, and cultural terms.
We will continue to resist all veiled attempts to politically enslave the Igbo nation under the pretext of national unity.
Signed:
Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka
National President
Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC)
Comrade Onuoha Eberechukwu
Anambra State Chairman
Comrade David Ani
Enugu State Chairman
Comrade Ogbe Vincent
Ebonyi State Chairman
Comrade Eugene Okonta
Abia State Chairman
Comrade Goodluck Ushene
Kogi State Chairman
Comrade Gift Anokwuru
Rivers State chairman
Comrade Chinonso Anokwuru
Imo State Chairman
Comrade Isioma Nebeli
Delta State Chairman
Comrade Ikechukwu Israel Udoka
Igbanke Branch Chairman
Comrade Ifeanyi Eze
Benue State Chairman
Hon. Chidubem Ekwor
Edo State Chairman
