ANAMBRA STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PASSES TRADITIONAL RULERS’ AMENDMENT BILL NO. 2, 2024

By Chizoba Okeke  :

A bill for a law to further amend the Traditional Rulers’ Law, 2007, has been passed into law by the Anambra State House of Assembly. This came into effect, following a motion moved by the Deputy Majority Leader of the House, Mr. Jude Akpua during a plenary session.

The Speaker of the House, Right Honourable Somtochukwu Udeze who presided the plenary read out the bill second and third time before it’s passage and it will come into force by December 20, 2024 after being accented to by the governor. The amended law establishes the State’s Traditional Rulers Council, which will be constituted through government recognition and selection by the Governor. The council will ensure equal representation from the state’s three senatorial zones.

 It also reveals that the governor shall appoint a chairman from among the council members on a rotational basis, serving a three-year term, with a possible one-year extension under exceptional circumstances. Additionally, there will be three vice-chairmen, one from each senatorial zone, serving as zonal council chairmen for a single three-year term.

In his submissions, the Deputy Majority Leader and member representing Njikoka Constituency Two, Dr Jude Akpua, said the bill will strengthen the traditional rulers council of the state thereby working effectively and efficiently with the state government.

Supporting the bill, the member representing Anaocha Constituency Two, Sir Ejike Okechukwu says it centres on re-establishing, widening and broadening Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council.

* Okeke is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *