Monarchy In Crisis: Ohanaeze Kicks Against ‘Supremacy Bill’ Naming Sultan, Ooni As Perpetual Leaders!

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has vehemently rejected the proposed Senate bill seeking to elevate the Ooni of Ife and the Sultan of Sokoto as permanent co-chairmen of the Traditional Rulers Council, ACCORDING TO IREPORTER ONLINE.

The organization, through its National Publicity Secretary, Ezechi Chukwu, expressed outrage in a press statement, describing the bill as a deliberate attempt to marginalize apex traditional rulers from other ethnic nationalities and geopolitical regions.

Chukwu said the bill reflects “utter disregard for equity, justice, federal character, and inclusivity,” pointing out that it promotes sectional interest over national unity.

ACCORDING TO IREPORTER ONLINE, Chukwu condemned the move as “an asymmetric, ethnocentric and discriminatory piece of legislation” that not only undermines democratic ideals but also lacks ethical foundation and objective metrics needed for fair representation in a diverse country like Nigeria.

He urged the Senate to withdraw the bill immediately and rework it to reflect cultural sensitivity, geopolitical balance, and equitable governance.

In a similar reaction, the Middle Belt Forum (MBF) aligned with Ohanaeze’s position, asserting that the Sultan of Sokoto, being largely a religious leader, cannot be institutionally ranked above ancient secular monarchies such as the Aku of Wukari. Luka Binniyat, MBF’s National Spokesperson, emphasized that this move could alienate Christian and traditional faith communities and deepen divisions within the country.

The MBF stressed that the Sultan, as a religious figure, lacks the jurisdictional relevance to preside permanently over a body comprising monarchs of differing traditions and faiths.

ACCORDING TO IREPORTER ONLINE, both Ohanaeze and the MBF warned that if the Senate insists on passing the bill, it may trigger coordinated boycotts by ethnic nationalities across the Middle Belt and South East, further fracturing national unity and inflaming tensions.

”IREPORTER REPORTS”