President Muhammadu Buhari has urged traditional rulers to
caution politicians against utterances that could affect smooth conduct of this
year’s general elections and by extension the peace and unity of Nigeria.
He made the plea on Monday in Abuja at the 10th General
Assembly of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN),
themed: “Building a synergy towards free, fair, credible and violent-free 2019
general election – the role of traditional rulers”.
Represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the President
said being the closest institution to the people, the government believe that
the royal fathers enjoy loyalty and respect of their subjects, hence the need
to promote causes that would herald greater transformation and socio-economic
and political development in Nigeria.
He described the traditional institutions as repository of
local intelligence, hence the periodic consultation and regular meetings with
the government for a better Nigeria.
He said: “We have had in the past various degrees of
violence during previous elections which was outcome irresponsible utterances,
hate speech by some ‘desperate politicians’ apparently designed to provoke or
incite violence. That would not be tolerated again.
“Your positions as traditional rulers accord you
considerable influence and respect of your subjects. So I urge you to take up
your responsibility of guidance and counselling, and enlighten your subjects on
the need to shun animosity, conflict and violence during or after the
elections.
“It is also important that you mobilise them to participate
in the electoral process by voting candidates or party of their choice without
fear of molestation, intimidation or harassment.”
Also speaking, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad
Abubakar III, who is the Co-chairman of council, expressed worry over the rate
of insecurity in Nigeria, which he said, could mar the credibility of the
forthcoming elections.
“At the 9th general assembly, the former Inspector General
of Police, Ibrahim Idris, briefed the council on his effort to provide security
for Nigerians.
“But unfortunately, the case of insecurity assumed worst
dimension in last one year. Bandits have had field days in Sokoto and Zamfara
states, kidnapping is order of the day, among several other crimes,” he said.
He however challenged the government to step up security
ahead of the election, so it could guarantee safety of voters in and out of
polling stations.
He also challenged the Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC) to harnesses views and suggestions of all stakeholders which
are relevant in accordance to law, to ensure free, fair, credible and globally
accepted elections by all parties.
In his keynote, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu,
inundated the traditional rulers with the preparations and other efforts made
by the commission to ensure credibility of the polls.
He however solicited their support to sensitise and
enlighten Nigerians at the grassroot to participate and make informed choice of
leaders in the forthcoming elections.
He also lamented that the commission’s greatest fear was
insecurity and misuse of the Permanent Voters Card (PVC), which many Nigerians
have taken as a major alternative to the National Identity Card.
He also lament that the last party primaries for the 2019
elections were the most problematic such that the commission has been taken to
the courts 639 times, 186 protests and petitions; and 584 applications for
certified true copies of documents.
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