A proposed legislative bill seeking to establish a National Council for Traditional Rulers of Nigeria has ignited widespread controversy, with several leading socio-cultural organizations vehemently rejecting a clause that would permanently enshrine the Sultan of Sokoto and the Ooni of Ife as its co-chairmen. Groups from the Middle Belt, South-South, and South-East regions have voiced strong opposition, citing historical inaccuracies, religious bias, and a perceived disregard for national diversity.

The contentious legislation, officially titled the National Council for Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2024, passed its second reading in the Senate in March 2025 and is currently under review by the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service.

The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) was among the first to sound the alarm. In a statement issued on Sunday, July 27, 2025, and reiterated on Friday, August 1, 2025, through its National Spokesman Luka Binniyat, the MBF unequivocally rejected the clause. Binniyat argued that the Sokoto Caliphate is historically junior to several ancient monarchies in the Middle Belt, such as the Tor Tiv and the Attah of Igala, making it a “gross distortion of historical facts” to grant the Sultan permanent superiority. Furthermore, the MBF contended that the Sultan’s acknowledged role as the spiritual head of Nigerian Muslims makes him an inappropriate permanent figurehead for a secular national council, warning that it would alienate Christians and traditional worshippers and violate Nigeria’s constitutional secularity.

Echoing similar sentiments, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, through its Publicity Secretary Ezechi Chukwu, condemned the bill on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. The Igbo socio-cultural group described the proposed arrangement as “asymmetric, inequitable, discriminatory, and ethnocentric,” asserting that it failed to reflect Nigeria’s multi-ethnic composition and the principles of fairness and federal character.

Adding to the chorus of disapproval, Ogbakha-Edo, a prominent Edo socio-cultural group, on Friday, August 1, 2025, demanded the immediate withdrawal of the bill in its entirety. Speaking at a press conference in Benin City, the group’s Chairman, Prof. Sam Guobadia, and Secretary, Dr. Andrew Osaretin Izekor, stated that the bill was an “ill-conceived and historically unjustifiable proposal” that attempts to “undermine or diminish the authority of the Oba of Benin.” They emphasized that the glorious Benin Empire predated many other kingdoms by centuries and its sovereign authority should not be subjected to any other traditional or religious entity under the guise of national unity.

The Igbo Community Association (ICA FCT), representing Igbos in Abuja, also weighed in on July 29, describing the bill as a threat to national unity and a move that undermines Nigeria’s ethnic diversity, warning it could deepen existing feelings of marginalization.

Critics across these groups are proposing a rotational or democratically elected leadership structure for the Council, ensuring representation from all geopolitical zones and ethnic blocs on a tenure-based system. They argue that such an inclusive approach would better reflect Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and foster mutual respect among its diverse traditional institutions. The various protesting groups have threatened to mobilize ethnic nationalities to boycott participation in the Council if the controversial clause is not withdrawn before the bill is passed into law.