The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Thursday presented staffs of office to the four graded kings of Karu, Kwali, Pai and Yaba.
Wike, on behalf of the president, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, pledged unconditional support and urged the newly coronated chiefs to take responsibility for peace in their respective domains.
He said the coronation was in recognition of that the traditional institution was part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s strategies of deepening democracy at the grassroots.
Wike said when he assumed office as minister he learnt that some traditional stools were without occupants, “so I quickly consulted stakeholders who made inputs for the actualisation of the appointment and installation of the monarchs.”
He said traditional rulers had a key role to play in maintaining peace in the country, urging the monarchs to shun comments or actions that were capable of setting the people against their neighbours or the government.
At the palace of the Sa’Karuyi, dignitaries gathered to celebrate the epoch-making event, despite the hunger protests.
The minister used the occasion to address the concerns of citizens over the nationwide protest, stressing that the government was always ready to dialogue with citizens over issues on their welfare.
He reiterated his stance that protest “can’t solve the problems in Nigeria.”