The Speaker, Abass Tajudden assured Emir of Zazzau about their good intention

National Assembly Speaker visits Zaria, assures resolve for constitutional roles to traditional rulers.

Abubakar Sadiq Mohd Zaria
15th July 2023

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt.Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has that the Green Chamber would work to ensure that traditional rulers have constitutional roles.

Dr. Abbas said this has become necessary due to the critical roles traditional rulers play in the society.

The Speaker spoke at the Emir of Zazzau’s Palace, Mallam Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, during his first visit to Zaria since his emergence as Speaker on June 13.

Abass Tajuddeen who holds the traditional title of Iyan Zazzau was received by a mammoth crowd in Zaria who sang songs of joy to celebrate him as the Number 4 citizen.

Tajuddeen, who is representing Zaria Federal Constituency for the fourth time, first paid homage to the emir’s palace, where he noted the important role of traditional institutions and called for their recognition in the 1999 Constitution.

He was accompanied by several principal officers and over 50 members of the House across political party and regional lines.

Speaker Abbas thanked his colleagues in the House for the “massive support” they gave him, while equally appreciating the entire people of Zaria for the opportunity to represent them in the House.

He said: “One of the reasons for this visit is to seek your support and prayers for a successful tenure. Pray for us to lead well and deliver on our mandate.

“I want to make a promise to you today. I remember about three years ago when we held zonal hearings on constitutional amendment, you made submissions regarding the need for traditional rulers to have constitutional roles”

“I would like to assure you that we now have the opportunity. With me as your son being the Speaker, we will look at that proposal once again so that our traditional rulers will have recognized constitutional roles.

“We are also here to seek the cooperation of the entire traditional institutions in the North and the country. We also want you to give us advice on how to succeed in our leadership. Where we err, you should tell us the truth. I seek the support of the Zazzau Emir and the people of the Emirate.” He said.

The Emir said: “The entire people of Zazzau are appreciative. The people of Zazzau have held high positions in this country. We had a President in the person of Yakubu Gowon. We also had a Vice-President in the person of Namadi Sambo. We now have a Speaker. We also had ambassadors, ministers and different positions.”

According to the Emir, the people of Zaria have engaged in politics since 1999, while the Emirate had also made laudable contributions to political stability.

Bamalli therefore, appealed to the lawmakers to “dust the bill and work on it once again,” noting that, “All we want is for the bill to be passed unopposed. We hope that the Legislature will look at this quickly.”

The Emir of Zazzau thanked the Speaker and his entourage for visiting him, while expressing his hope that they would perform. “Your years at the National Assembly have proved useful, which is why your colleagues elected you,” he stated.

He called on all members of the House to come together and work for Nigeria, stating that the time for electoral campaign was over.