Buhari’s re-election will of God – Monarchs

The National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) on Tuesday said that only God gives power to whoever He wills.

It also declared that the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari is the will of God for the progress and development of the country.

The Chairman of the Council and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar spoke on behalf of the Council at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, when he led members of the Council on a congratulatory visit to President Buhari.

The Council urged those who lost the 2019 Presidential election to accept the will of God and support President Buhari, to move the country forward.

He said: “The National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria is here to felicitate with you on your re-election as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We join all Nigerians and the International community in praying and wishing you very big success in your tenure.

“As traditional rulers, we are not only custodians of our people’s cultures, values and traditions but also the custodians of the religious beliefs and conscience of our people. We are therefore, fully aware that it is only God almighty who owns power and authority and who bestows this on whom He will, when He wills and how He wills.

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“Therefore your election as President for a second tenure should be seen as what God has destined and no one could have changed that.

“This result is the will of the almighty God and therefore we call on all to give you maximum support for the achievement of peace, development and progress of our dear nation.”

The Sultan also charged President Buhari to continue to exhibit the characters of justice and fairness as he leads the country.

He noted that the traditional institution as an enduring cultural heritage of its people would continue to serve as the bedrock of any administration in power.

“This Council strives to ensure a peaceful, strong, united and developed Nigeria. It is for this reason that the Council resolved to continue to give maximum support to government at all levels, for the achievement of all visionary and people oriented policies, programmes and projects for the overall wellbeing of Nigerians, while at the same time maintaining its unwavering stance on  the Rule of Law  and practice of democracy,” he said.

He pledged the support of traditional rulers for President Buhari’s three cardinal areas of focus, fighting corruption, revamping the economy and improving security.

Responding, President Buhari sought for more understanding and support from the royal fathers.

The President, who thanked God for an opportunity to serve the nation for another four years, re-stated his believe in Nigeria’s multi-cultural population and the continued existence of Nigeria as an indivisible entity.

“I am very happy that you have come to congratulate me for coming to my second and final term of office. I believe in this system, such a multi-racial, multi-national and multi-cultural country like Nigeria, a country with more than 250, 000 cultures,” he said.

The President said that traditional rulers have a big role to play in securing the country, because of their unique role in the society.

“I realise that really if you want the security of the country, which is very important to us and one of our three main areas of focus. As traditional rulers, you know everybody in your constituencies and you know which family has hardened criminals and which family has respectable people so there is no way any government at any level can survive creditably without your support. This is the honest fact whether people accept it or not.

“So we always depend on you because you know the weaknesses of our system and the society. We certainly need your cooperation on day to day basis to make sure that we consolidate on what we promised the whole country,” the President stated.

Co-Chairman of the Council, the Ooni of Ife, His impearl majesty; Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi said traditional rulers across the country have resolved to work very closely with the government.

He thanked President Buhari for his willingness to work with the traditional institution, because of his believe in taking Nigeria to another level.

The Delegation comprised of paramount rulers and Chairmen of the various State Traditional Councils in Nigeria.