As the 2019 elections approach, Ogun state Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has challenged monarchs in the state to remain apolitical, but play active roles as advocate of non-violent politics.
Amosun spoke on Friday during the inauguration of Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo as the new chairman of the State Council of Obas held at Obas’ Conference Hall, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
Amosun said traditional rulers as custodians of culture and peaceful co-existent should not be passive, noting that major campaigns and party primaries would be done in the incoming year preparatory to 2019 polls, adding that it was high time monarch played active roles by preaching peace to their subjects.
He remarked that despite colonial masters’ encroachment into Yoruba land, traditional rulers had remained promoters and custodians to cultural values and heritage.
“Let me call the attention of our royal fathers to the need to continue to pursue peace and development of our state particularly as 2019 general elections are fast approaching.
“The incoming year is the year really because the elections will be held very early in 2019. All the campaigns and political dynamics and everything that would be deployed for elections in 2019 would have been done in 2018.
“So, it has become very necessary for our royal fathers to admonish your subjects, particularly, the youths to eschew violence before, during and after the election. The people should see the Electoral exercise as a peaceful process to recruit new leaders into government who will in turn provide good governance for our people.
“People will say, our royal fathers are apolitical. Yes, I agree. You are fathers to politicians and all of us, but please don’t be passive. Let them know that politics is not a do or die affair. This is a very important period more than ever before that you need to be active and let people know that violence should be condemned in its entirety.”
The new chairman promised to always interface with other monarchs to effectively perform their advisory roles to government and also as major players in driving the development of the state.
Alake asked the governor to review traditional rulers’ allowances and stipends.
Buhari to supporters: Posterity will appreciate all your sacrifices (1)
President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday in Abuja said the long-suffering commitment and sacrifices of all his supporters, over the years, would be remembered by posterity, urging them to remain steadfast in pursuing the overall good of the nation.
Receiving the Governance Support Group at the Presidential Villa, Buhari said he remained “eternally grateful’’ for all the personal and collective sacrifices that culminated in winning the 2015 elections”, assuring them that all the efforts would never be forgotten.
“I can never forget your sacrifices and I am grateful for all. You never gave up when things were bleak, and we needed to survive. I can’t express my gratitude enough.
“In spite of the environment you found yourself, you kept believing and pushing. Some of you were really exposed to risks. My consolation is that you voluntarily threw in your lot with me.
“Some of you exposed yourself so much, and I knew it. I urge you to still stick to your principled ways of doing things and our country will be the better for it,’’ he said.
The President said the administration had ushered in a new era of accountability and responsibility by auditing and correcting the many wrongs of the past that crippled the economy and created an exclusive class, promising to consolidate on the reforms he had initiated for change in the country.
“Some of the things I saw here were unbelievable. I still shudder and wonder how a country can survive under such abuses. It is only by an act of God that we survived,’’ he added.
Buhari told his supporters that he was not oblivious of the personal risks and investments that brought in the government, citing the appointment of Mr. Boss Mustapha as Secretary to the Government of the Federation as most deserved because of his steadfastness.
“I want you to maintain your steadfastness. We have gone through the worst of the times. We lost elections three times and I learnt a lot along the way,’’ he said.
Chairman of the group, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, commended the president for the bold initiatives in restoring security, tackling corruption, and setting the economy on a more predictable path.
Nwajiuba said the group would continue to support and advise the President on areas that needed more attention, which include engagement with party members and supporters, empowerment of Nigerians and the fight against kidnapping.
