Insecurity: Emir of Keffi demands constitutional recognition of traditional institutions

The Emir of Keffi, Shehu Chindo Yamusa III has called for a review of the constitution to give administrative roles to traditional institutions as a means to check insecurity in the country.

He made this known in a lecture on ‘The Role of Traditional Institutions in the Preservation of Cultural Values and the Management of National Security,’ delivered at the Institute of Security Studies (ISS) on Wednesday in Abuja.

He noted that before the erosion of the powers of the traditional institution in post-colonial Nigeria, the traditional system was vital in intelligence gathering and checking criminal trends.

He insisted government must make specific provisions in the laws, so as to enable the traditional institutions get an active participation in the security architecture of the country.

He lamented that the traditional system is now reduced to begging for financial assistance and pushing for political appointments for their wards.

He noted that while politicians are respected only when they release money, the people still respect the traditional institutions because of their ability to mediate during communal conflicts.

He said the advisory role given to the institution in the Nigerian constitution is not enough.