State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs
Encyclopedia
A state council of traditional rulers and chiefs, also known as a state council of oba
s in Yoruba language
-majority states, refers to any Nigerian state government run body of traditional rulers and chiefs. It is usually headed by a traditional ruler
, although the sitting governor of the state retains the right to approve or veto any binding measure taken by the body. State councils, however, are often courted by candidates for state or national offices or by sitting incumbents, usually for the purpose of endorsement.
State councils are typically governed by laws issued by their state. Thus Abia State
has a formal process for recognizing traditional rulers of each autonomous community and for selecting from these the members of the Council of Chiefs.
The council has limited powers, and is subject to state government control. In November 2000, the Chairman of the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council celebrated the silver jubilee anniversary of his ascension to his throne. Three days later the state government dissolved the traditional rulers' council and a month later withdrew his certificate of recognition as a traditional ruler.
Oba (ruler)
Oba is a West African synonym for monarch, one that is usually applied to the Yoruba and Edo rulers of the region. It is also often used by their traditional subjects to refer to other kings and queens, such as Elizabeth I of England, in their native languages.-Edo account of the word's origin:The...
s in Yoruba language
Yoruba language
Yorùbá is a Niger–Congo language spoken in West Africa by approximately 20 million speakers. The native tongue of the Yoruba people, it is spoken, among other languages, in Nigeria, Benin, and Togo and in communities in other parts of Africa, Europe and the Americas...
-majority states, refers to any Nigerian state government run body of traditional rulers and chiefs. It is usually headed by a traditional ruler
Nigerian traditional rulers
Nigerian traditional rulers often derive their titles from the rulers of independent states or communities that existed before the formation of modern Nigeria...
, although the sitting governor of the state retains the right to approve or veto any binding measure taken by the body. State councils, however, are often courted by candidates for state or national offices or by sitting incumbents, usually for the purpose of endorsement.
State councils are typically governed by laws issued by their state. Thus Abia State
Abia State
Abia State is a state in southeastern Nigeria. The capital is Umuahia, although the major commercial city is Aba, formerly a British colonial government outpost. The state was created in 1991 from part of Imo State and its citizens are predominantly Igbo people...
has a formal process for recognizing traditional rulers of each autonomous community and for selecting from these the members of the Council of Chiefs.
The council has limited powers, and is subject to state government control. In November 2000, the Chairman of the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council celebrated the silver jubilee anniversary of his ascension to his throne. Three days later the state government dissolved the traditional rulers' council and a month later withdrew his certificate of recognition as a traditional ruler.