29/07/2025
RE: MISLEADING ALLEGATION ON THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF TRADITIONAL RULERS (ESTABLISHMENT) BILL – SETTING THE RECORDS STRAIGHT
The attention of Senator Simon Bako Lalong, representing Plateau South Senatorial District and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, has been drawn to publications circulating online—one attributed to the Middle Belt Forum (MBF) and another by a group identified as Concerned Hausa Stakeholders.
These publications allege that the National Council of Traditional Rulers (Establishment) Bill, 2024 (SB. 546) seeks to designate His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, and His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, as permanent Chairman and Co-Chairman of the proposed Council.
As sponsor of the Bill, Senator Lalong categorically states that these allegations are entirely false, misleading, and unfounded. Nowhere in the text of the Bill is such a provision contained.
For clarity, the Bill provides that the Chairman and two Vice Chairmen (representing North and South) shall be appointed from among the members of the Council. The process remains open, inclusive, and in line with democratic principles.
Senator Lalong is therefore perplexed by the deliberate misrepresentation of the Bill’s content, which appears to be an attempt to distract from its noble objectives and derail its progress.
The Bill, having passed Second Reading, is currently with the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Services, and a public hearing will be held soon to allow citizens and stakeholders to provide input and contribute to its refinement.
Senator Lalong welcomes the robust public interest in the Bill and urges all concerned individuals, groups, and associations to present their memoranda during the public hearing. This inclusive engagement will help enrich the Bill and ensure it serves the best interest of the traditional institution and the nation at large.
He, however, cautions against the spread of falsehood and misinformation, which undermines constructive dialogue and efforts aimed at giving the traditional institution a constitutional role in promoting peace, unity, security, and national development.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Special Adviser (Media) to Senator Simon Bako Lalong, Plateau South.
28th July 2025E: MISLEADING ALLEGATION ON THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF TRADITIONAL RULERS (ESTABLISHMENT) BILL – SETTING THE RECORDS STRAIGHT
The attention of Senator Simon Bako Lalong, representing Plateau South Senatorial District and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, has been drawn to publications circulating online—one attributed to the Middle Belt Forum (MBF) and another by a group identified as Concerned Hausa Stakeholders.
These publications allege that the National Council of Traditional Rulers (Establishment) Bill, 2024 (SB. 546) seeks to designate His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, and His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, as permanent Chairman and Co-Chairman of the proposed Council.
As sponsor of the Bill, Senator Lalong categorically states that these allegations are entirely false, misleading, and unfounded. Nowhere in the text of the Bill is such a provision contained.
For clarity, the Bill provides that the Chairman and two Vice Chairmen (representing North and South) shall be appointed from among the members of the Council. The process remains open, inclusive, and in line with democratic principles.
Senator Lalong is therefore perplexed by the deliberate misrepresentation of the Bill’s content, which appears to be an attempt to distract from its noble objectives and derail its progress.
The Bill, having passed Second Reading, is currently with the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Services, and a public hearing will be held soon to allow citizens and stakeholders to provide input and contribute to its refinement.
Senator Lalong welcomes the robust public interest in the Bill and urges all concerned individuals, groups, and associations to present their memoranda during the public hearing. This inclusive engagement will help enrich the Bill and ensure it serves the best interest of the traditional institution and the nation at large.
He, however, cautions against the spread of falsehood and misinformation, which undermines constructive dialogue and efforts aimed at giving the traditional institution a constitutional role in promoting peace, unity, security, and national development.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Special Adviser (Media) to Senator Simon Bako Lalong, Plateau South.
28th July 2025
