The traditional
ruler of Nupeland, also referred to as Etsu Nupe, Yahaya Abubakar, has
urged Nigerian politicians not to take politics as a “do-or-die” affair
and shun violence.
Mr. Abubakar made
the appeal in his palace in Bida, Niger State, on Sunday when members
of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Zone A, of the state, paid
him a courtesy visit.
He spoke against
the backdrop of an explosion that rocked a town in the state, Suleja,
during the Peoples Democratic Party rally last week. The explosion
killed three and injured several other people. This prompted the
traditional ruler to call on Nigerians to pray fervently against the
phenomena of bomb blasts at public functions in the country.
According to the
traditional ruler, it is only God who gives and takes power. He charged
politicians to be mindful of their utterances so as not to cause
disaffection among their supporters and the public at large.
“If politicians
can have this at the back of their minds, we can always be sure of free
and fair elections, especially the peaceful conduct of the 2011 general
elections,” he added.
The traditional
ruler also urged politicians to make efforts to redeem their campaign
promises to the electorate, saying that whatever promise made, should
be fulfilled.
According to him, God will punish anybody who makes promises but refuses to fulfil them.
Mr. Abubakar said
that politics should be seen as a thing of interest, and urged the
electorate to be free to elect candidates of their choice.
The traditional
ruler said it is unfortunate that while Nigeria is experimenting true
democracy, some disgruntled elements are twisting such efforts for
selfish reasons.
The chief, who is
also the Chairman of the Niger Traditional Council, commiserated with
the state’s governor, Babangida Aliyu and the people of the state over
the unfortunate incident.
He prayed to God
to give those who lost their lives during the incident eternal rest,
and their families, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Speaking earlier,
the state ACN Chairman, Isah Mokwa, told Mr. Abubakar that the ACN
leaders were in the palace to receive his royal blessings for the task
ahead of them.
