Hausa stakeholders reject bill elevating only Sultan, Oni as co-chairmen of national traditional rulers council

The Hausa stakeholders have rejected a bill passed by the Nigerian Senate that seeks to establish a National Council of Traditional Rulers, naming only the Sultan of Sokoto and the Ooni of Ife as permanent co-chairmen.

The group in a statement, described the bill as ethnically biased, historically misleading, and constitutionally indefensible, as it excludes other major ethnic groups like the Hausa, Igbo, Kanuri, and others.

It said the Sultan of Sokoto is recognized as a religious leader, “Sarkin Musulmi,” and not a traditional king in the cultural sense.

The group argued that Sultan’s authority is centered around Islamic religious interests, not cultural or ethnic representation.

The Hausa stakeholders called for the complete withdrawal or fundamental redrafting of the bill, guided by principles of ethnic equity, historical legitimacy, and inclusive dialogue.

It added that if the bill is religious, equal leadership should be given to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Muslim leaders, and if traditional, it should reflect ethnic equity, including representation from all indigenous nations.

Meanwhile, the bill’s exclusionary nature threatens national unity and institutionalizes ethnic favoritism, potentially entrenching resentment and division.

Below is the full statement:

The Hausa people, joined by concerned voices from across Nigeria, firmly reject the recent bill passed for second reading by the Nigerian Senate which seeks to establish a National Council of Traditional Rulers naming only the Sultan of Sokoto and the Ooni of Ife as permanent co-chairmen.

This bill is ethnically biased, historically misleading, and constitutionally indefensible. Nigeria is not a two-ethnic federation of Fulani and Yoruba. It is a multi-ethnic republic where equal representation, historical truth, and federal character must be respected.

1. The Sultan of Sokoto Is a Religious Leader Not a Traditional Ruler in the Cultural Sense

The Sultan of Sokoto is officially recognized as the “Sarkin Musulmi” Leader of Muslims not as a traditional king in the ethnic or cultural sense. His authority centers around:

Declaring moon sightings for Ramadan and Eid;

Representing Islamic religious interests nationally;

Acting as patron of Miyetti Allah, a Fulani cultural organization.

His legitimacy is thus religious and Fulani-specific, not cultural or ethnic. He does not represent the Hausa people, nor the broader traditional institutions of northern Nigeria. The Sultan himself openly declared:

“I am Fulani through and through. If there is life after death, I would choose to return as Fulani.”

That statement is a proud affirmation of Fulani identity not Hausa, not Kanuri, and certainly not neutral. Therefore, elevating the Sultan to permanent national traditional leadership is both misleading and exclusionary.

If religious authority is the basis for this elevation, then Christian leaders, such as the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), should be equally considered, since both Christians and Muslims exist across North and South Nigeria.

2. If This Bill Is Truly About Traditional Leadership, Where Are the Hausa, Igbo, Kanuri, and Others?

If the bill is about traditional rulership, then it is unacceptable to exclude other major and historically grounded ethnic civilizations:

The Hausa, with ancient city-states like Daura, Kano, Zaria, Katsina, and a royal tradition predating the Sokoto Caliphate;

The Igbo, with time-honored institutions like the Obi of Onitsha, Eze Nri, and many others;

The Kanuri, with the Shehu of Borno, one of West Africa’s oldest dynasties.

To recognize only the Sultan of Sokoto and the Ooni of Ife is a deliberate marginalization of other Nigerian civilizations. It also ignores the fact that Daura, not Sokoto, is the traditional cradle of Hausa kingship. Sokoto is the capital of the Fulani empire, not an indigenous Hausa kingdom.

This Bill Threatens National Unity and Institutionalizes Ethnic Favoritism

This bill promotes ethnic hierarchy, not unity. By elevating only two monarchs from two ethnic groups Fulani and Yoruba it risks entrenching resentment, division, and institutionalized injustice.

No single monarch, no matter how respected, can represent entire regions or religions. The Ooni of Ife cannot speak for the Igbo, Ijaw, Urhobo, Ibibio, or others in the South. The Sultan cannot speak for the Hausa, Kanuri, or Tiv in the North.

This is not just about titles. It is about historical truth, ethnic dignity, and equal citizenship in the Nigerian project.

OUR DEMANDS

We hereby call for the complete withdrawal or fundamental redrafting of this bill, guided by the following:

1. If the bill is religious in nature, then equal leadership must be given to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Muslim leaders, reflecting Nigeria’s religious diversity.

2. If the bill is traditional in nature, then it must reflect ethnic equity — including the Hausa, Igbo, Kanuri, Ijaw, Tiv, Urhobo, Ibibio, and all other indigenous nations.

3. Any national traditional leadership must be based on historical legitimacy, federal character, and inclusive dialogue, not political favoritism.

We will not accept any structure that seeks to overwrite or erase the historical presence, sovereignty, and dignity of the Hausa nation, nor will we condone the exclusion of other ethnic nationalities.

Signed:
Concerned Hausa Stakeholders
Kaduna, Nigeria

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