The House of Representatives will amend the 1999 Constitution to include giving traditional rulers constitutional roles, the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, has said.
He said the contributions of the traditional institution to nation building deserved constitution backing.
Dogara made this position known in a congratulatory message to the new Emir of Misau, Alhaji Ahmed Suleiman.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, the Speaker recalled that such role was contained in the amended constitution by the Seventh Assembly, which was not assented to by former President Goodluck Jonathan.
He, however, promised that the amendment would be revisited and sent to President Muhammadu Buhari for assent.
The message reads: “The Speaker assured that the House, under his leadership, will uphold the tenets of the traditional institution considering its contributions to peaceful co-existence and promotion of cultural values in the society.
“He said the House will use the instrumentality of the amendment to provide a constitutional role for traditional rulers in view of their roles in maintaining peace in their dormain and the country.
“He said such roles was provided for in the last constitution review in the Seventh Assembly but was not assented to by former President Goodluck Jonathan.
“However, the Speaker said following the amendment to relevant House Rules on the lifespan of unsigned bills in the last Assembly, the House will reconsider the amendment and send it to President Muhammadu Buhari for his assent”.
While congratulating the newly appointed emir, Dogara urged him to emulate the good virtues of his predecessor.
“The Speaker called on the emir to emulate and build on the legacies of the late Emir Muhammadu Manga III.
“He said the former monarch worked to ensure that peace and harmony prevail among the diverse people of his domain, which remained one of the most peaceful in the country.
“May I enjoin you to emulate the legacies and foundation laid by the late emir to bear on your reign as well as make peace and unity the focal point of your stewardship”, Dogara added.
