President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday emphasised the imperative of the traditional rulers’ support in the administration’s determination to address the demands of the country’s youths.
At a meeting in the State House Abuja with a delegation of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, led by the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Dr Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, the president told the royal fathers that “we have heard the loud cries of our youth and children, and we are attending to their concerns.
“To succeed in all of this, we would require your support and voice to help amplify the message. Your proximity to the people places you in a unique position to communicate and ensure that our response is targeted and impactful,” he said.
Describing their “role as guardians of our traditional values and culture” as most critical, the president urged them not to compromise their neutrality “because this is what significantly confers on you, your moral authority and legitimacy.”
The president said his Chief of Staff, Professor Ibrahim Gambari would lead senior government officials to various parts of the country “and directly engage with you as part of this process.”
“He will be reporting back to me on your various perspectives. I want to once again thank you for the role you all have played to calm down our youth with wisdom and authority. By instilling hope and keeping the peace, you have rendered the country great service,” he said.
While warning that “we cannot allow anybody or group to threaten the peace or sabotage these efforts,” the president said “strong, transparent efforts are underway to address those rogue elements of the Nigerian Police Force. “Simultaneously, the Nigerian Police Force will also undergo much needed reform that covers welfare, working conditions, and code of conduct. That will usher in a more professional workforce.”
Recognising the primary and important role of the monarchs in helping maintain peace and security in the country, the president expressed delight at their visit “given all that has happened recently in our country.”
While receiving the recommendations of the traditional rulers, he promised to study them and take appropriate action.
The president had earlier drawn the attention of the eminent delegation to the challenges of COVID-19 pandemic on the world.
“We find ourselves in very turbulent times, with a global health pandemic that has been incredibly challenging. Economies have been crippled as the response to the pandemic has forced businesses to shut down or devise new means of transacting. For a country like ours, with a large informal economy, our citizens have been particularly hit,” he said.
He said the present administration had “designed various schemes and taken many measures to soften the impact, despite our own revenue struggles as government,” while recognising that “more needs to be done to cater to our fellow citizens, not just those in the urban areas but also those in rural areas.”
“I am also fully aware that our strong farming belts have been impacted by floods. While we have seen record levels of farm outputs and increased level of fertiliser utilisation, government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and its agencies is working on how to help bring these farmers some relief,” he said.
Admitting the enormity of these challenges and the growing youth population, the president said: “There is no hiding place regarding how we should address insecurity concerns, youth unemployment, job creation, boosting industrialisation and preparing for a transition into a digital economy.”
Remarks were made by the Sultan of Sokoto and the Ooni of Ife, His Royal Majesty Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, while two foremost traditional rulers representing each geo-political zone also attended the meeting.
Police warn
Meanwhile, the Lagos state Police Command Thursday warned it would resist any planned protest, procession, or gathering in the state.
The warning came amidst rumoured plans to resume protest weeks after violence erupted in Lagos following the shooting of protesters by soldiers.
Police said they would disallow the constitutionally allowed demonstrations because the state was yet to recover from the damage that followed the last protest.
In a statement by the command’s spokesman, Olumuyiea Adejobi, the police said: “As the government and people of Lagos still nurture the wounds of the recent EndSARS violence that wrecked havoc across the state, the command wishes to inform the general public that based on intelligence gathering from relevant intelligence agencies, some unpatriotic elements or group of people have concluded plans to orchestrate another set of violence in the state in furtherance to the recent EndSARS violence, which has been analysed as dangerous and counterproductive.
“Premised on this, the command, therefore, wishes to warn any individuals, group of students or any groups who might want to stage any form of protest, either “peaceful” or violent, or gathering whatsoever, to desist as the police and other security agencies will collectively and tactically resist any security threats or threats to public peace which might be triggered by protest or protesters in Lagos State.
“The Police command, emphatically, warns parents and guardians to discourage their children or wards from embarking on any protest in the state as the possibility of hijacking it by armed hoodlums to cause grieve and pains like the recent past is evident.”
The statement further said: “We encourage the general public to ignore any call for protest and go about their lawful businesses as all hands are on deck to maintain law and order and public safety across the length and breadth of the state.”
INEC on rescheduled poll
Amidst all this, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it suffered extensive damage following the vandalisation of its local government offices and facilities, including the areas where the bye-elections were scheduled to hold.
To this end, the commission planned to first consult all the critical stakeholders in the electoral process before deciding on a definite date for the conduct of the bye-elections.
INEC National Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education Barrister Festus Okoye said this Thursday in a statement in Abuja.
He said the commission would consult with political parties and civil society organisations Tuesday 10th November 2020 and then with the media and Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) Wednesday, 11th November, 2020.
The statement noted that the commission would thereafter meet again with the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) Thursday, 12th November, 2020 to decide on a date for the conduct of the bye-elections.
INEC appealed to all stakeholders to continue complimenting its efforts at conducting credible elections under a safe and conducive environment.
The statement said: “The public will recall that the Commission met on 22nd October, 2020 with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to deliberate on the 15 outstanding bye-elections in 11 States of the Federation earlier scheduled for 31st October 2020.
“Due to the security situation in the country at the time, the Commission decided to suspend the bye-elections and meet in two weeks to review its decision.
“The Commission met today, Thursday, 5th November, 2020 to further review the situation and decided that:
“The Commission suffered extensive damage to and vandalization of its local government offices and facilities, including the areas where the bye-elections are scheduled to hold.
“It is important to consult all the critical stakeholders in the electoral process before deciding on a definite date for the conduct of the bye-elections
“Consequently, the Commission will consult with political parties and civil society organisations on Tuesday 10th November 2020 and then with the media and Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) on Wednesday 11th November 2020.
“The Commission will thereafter meet again with the Resident Electoral Commissioners on Thursday, 12th November, 2020 to decide on a date for the conduct of the bye-elections.
“We appeal to all stakeholders to continue to cooperate with the Commission in its efforts to conduct credible elections under a safe and conducive environment.”
