Royal Father Hails Bill On Traditional Rulers

The Paramount ruler of Isoko Kingdom in Delta State, King Frank Okurakpo says the bill to create a role for traditional rulers sent to the National Assembly by President Goodluck Jonathan is an indication of the respect and regard the present government has for the traditional institution.

The traditional ruler who spoke to The Tide in an interview at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa said past administrations in the country failed in their duty by not giving the traditional institution a pride of place in the scheme of things.

Describing the president’s decision as a welcome development, King Okurakpo who is the Odio-Logbo of Kugba noted that the traditional institution has been a hub of governance in early history of Nigeria and wondered why past leaders of the country did not deem it necessary to give constitutional backing to the role of traditional rulers.

According to King Okurakpo, traditional rulers had since the era of colonial rule been playing significant roles in tackling the security challenges and maintaining peace in their domains, pointing out that by presenting the bill on their roles to the National Assembly, President Jonathan has broken a record that is very commendable.

“The presentation of the bill to create roles for traditional rulers is a mark of the President’s sensitivity to the yearnings and aspirations of the people and it is a demonstration of good governance and sign of good things to happen in this country,” he said stressing the need for traditional rulers to be part of the governing process.

He called on all Nigerians to work together and ensure the re-election of President Jonathan adding that the time has come when Nigerians should take their destiny into their hands by electing credible leaders.

Acknowledging that the on-going voter registration exercise has achieved more than 90 per cent success, King Okurakpo emphasised the need for people to face the reality and make the right choice of those to rule them, saying.” People should identify their destiny as everyone cannot occupy positions at the same time. The time for every person’s ambition will come.”

He said in clear terms that  everybody must not be a politician to make it. There should be industries and other fields of endearour that people should focus on and become what they want in  life. The most important thing in governance is development and empowerment of the citizenry.”

The traditional ruler believed that the crisis in Bayelsa State would not affect President Jonathan’s ambition as he is a president of Nigeria and not Bayelsa alone, arguing that Bayelsa like any other state needs a very credible leader that can set the pace for the political class to move the state forward in consonance with the desires of the people.

Shedie Okpara