Why the Reps’ Bill on Statutory Funding for Traditional Councils Is Timely

The traditional institution should be strengthened and made more efficient in carrying out its duty.

Recall that some analysts believe that many palaces have become political playgrounds, and there have been worries about the politicization of the ancient institution.

They claim that contract-seekers and sycophants have taken over the hallways that were once famed for good guidance and community justice.

“The dignity of the stool has been sacrificed for patronage and political survival,” one of our informants claims.

In states like Kano, Adamawa, and Katsina, this unsettling tendency is more noticeable than anywhere else.

We saw in Kano the ruthless politicization of the emirate—the deliberate destruction of a centuries-old institution under the pretext of control and retribution.

Adamawa’s traditional unity has been undermined by polarizing politics. Voices of moral courage and tradition are in danger of being silenced in Katsina due to encroaching intrusion.

Two former ministers, Professors Tunde Adeniran and Taoheed Adedoja, are at odds over a proposed constitutional change that would offer traditional institutions a formal and secure financial mechanism.

After a recommendation by the House Committee on Constitution Review, which is led by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, was adopted, the bill is now in the House of Representatives.

To give traditional councils nationwide a specific source of funding, the committee is recommending a modification to Section 162 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The Distributable Pool Account is governed by Section 162 of the Constitution, which currently states that funds available to a state’s local government councils “shall be distributed among the local government councils of that state on such terms and in such manner as may be prescribed by the House of Assembly of the state.”

The committee suggests adding a new clause after Subsection (8) that requires state legislatures to pass legislation requiring the direct funding of traditional councils as part of the proposed modification.

A House of Assembly must specifically “make a law for the direct payment of not less than five percent of the amount standing to the credit of the local government councils in the state to the head of the traditional council in that state,” according to the new provision.

The amendment would, if approved, provide traditional institutions with a constitutionally guaranteed source of revenue for the first time, removing their dependency on state and municipal governments’ discretionary subventions.

Former Education Minister Prof. Adeniran, in an exclusive interview, warned against the perils of forcing a standardized national model on established institutions.

He maintained that subnational governments are in a better position to decide how to run these institutions given their unique requirements and histories.

States differ in how relevant traditional institutions are, he noted. They shouldn’t be handled uniformly across the country and politicized. Constitutional provisions for traditional institutions should not be used to exacerbate federal problems and challenges; these are matters for the states to handle.

Professor Adedoja, a former Minister of Sports and Special Duties, has thrown his support behind the proposed amendment, which stands in stark contrast to Adeniran’s stance.

Adedoja called for widespread support and praised lawmakers for bringing about the constitutional reform, emphasizing the significance of traditional rulers in grassroots governance and dispute resolution.

In all Nigerian local administrations, he stated, “Traditional institutions are closest to the people at the community level.” Using culturally acceptable methods, they are essential in resolving land and family problems, mediating disagreements, and preserving peace.

By allowing them to react quickly to these local disputes, budgetary support relieves the strain on formal courts that are overburdened with cases. He informed our correspondent, “Traditional institutions support peace and order within local government areas.”

The preservation of cultural and social values alone, according to Adedoja, warrants constitutional support for traditional council funding.

According to him, “Indigenous culture, history, and moral values are preserved by traditional rulers. The funding facilitates the recording of local history, the planning of cultural events, and the dissemination of ideals that foster civic identity, harmony, and respect.

“This cultural stability supports local government initiatives in community development and fosters social cohesion.”

The former minister went on to defend the proposed bill by citing community mobilization for security and development.

“Traditional institutions are effective channels for mobilizing communities for development initiatives like sanitation, schools, public health campaigns, and local security efforts,” he continued.

“They are better able to work with local governments to implement policies at the grassroots level, support vigilante and early-warning systems, and engage stakeholders thanks to budgetary allocations.”

Since the restoration of democracy in 1999, the pursuit of constitutional funding and recognition for traditional institutions has been a major topic of discussion in Nigerian constitutional discussions.

Traditional leaders are not given any official position in the current Constitution’s governance system, despite their impact on grassroots mobilization, cultural preservation, dispute resolution, and community governance.

Even if traditional institutions are still relevant, reformers contend that this omission has undermined them, especially in rural areas where they frequently serve as the closest authority to the populace. Advocates contend that traditional leaders are essential collaborators in addressing security issues, resolving intercommunal conflicts, assisting with public health initiatives, and fostering regional growth.

Constitutional funding, according to the amendment’s proponents, would improve the efficacy, independence, and dignity of established organizations. They contend that conventional leaders are subject to political pressure and their impartiality is compromised by the current funding structure, which is mostly reliant on the goodwill of governors or chairmen of local governments.

They argue that a statutory funding structure would improve the ability of traditional councils to support grassroots government, increase administrative capacity, and guarantee predictability and transparency. While nominally acknowledging the historical and social relevance of traditional authority inside Nigeria’s federal structure, they nevertheless maintain that distributing a small percentage of local government monies will not disturb fiscal balances.

However, the proposal’s opponents have expressed worries about accountability and the lack of clearly defined constitutional roles for traditional rulers, which are likely to dominate legislative debates in the weeks ahead.