Election Violence: Jonathan Seeks Help From Royal Fathers

Apparently jolted by the alarm raised by former Nigeria’s external affairs minister, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, over impending post-election violence in 2015, President Goodluck Jonathan has turned to traditional rulers across the country for help.
In his address at the 7th General Assembly of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) held in Abuja yesterday, the president appealed to the royal fathers to assist in enlightening their subjects on peaceful conduct during and after the 2105 general elections.

LEADERSHIP had reported yesterday that Akinyemi had written to Jonathan and General Mohammed Buhari (rtd), requesting them to meet and sign a memorandum of undertaking that they would control their respective supporters after the elections.

President Jonathan spoke through his deputy, Vice President Namadi Sambo, at the 7th general assembly of the NCTRN with the theme: ‘Sustaining the Natural Mandate of the Traditional Institutions in Contemporary Nigeria’.

He acknowledged the unifying force and the tremendous contributions of the traditional institution in maintaining peace and stability in the country.

The president said, “As royal fathers and traditional rulers, such a time calls for your wise counsel and the enlightenment of your subjects as well as prayers to ensure hitch-free and successful elections across the federation.

“The role of the traditional institutions, as the custodian of our rich cultural heritage, has contributed immensely to ensuring high moral standards amongst the citizenry and must be greatly appreciated.”

Calling on the royal fathers to assist governments at all levels to end the surmountable security challenges in the country, Jonathan said government was doing its best in uplifting the socio-economic status of Nigerians, through job and wealth creation mechanisms.

Earlier the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, had reaffirmed the commitment of the royal fathers to the peace, unity, justice and stability of the nation, while also urging government to positively look into their recommendations.

He said the assembly was going to extensively deliberate on issues affecting the country, particularly the preparations leading to the 2015 general elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the insecurity ravaging the northeastern part of the country, among others.

In his keynote address, INEC chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega, assured the traditional rulers of the commission’s readiness and determination to deliver free, fair and credible election, in 2015, which would surpass that of 2011.

He appealed to the traditional rulers to partner with the commission to ensure attitudinal change by the electorate and the political class to ensure success of the forthcoming polls.

Also speaking, the chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and the governor Niger State, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, urged them to come up with holistic traditional mechanisms to address the security and socio-economic challenges in the country.

The NCTRN is chaired and co-chaired by the Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III and the Oni of Ife Oba Okunade Sijuade.

Source: Leadership.ng