Former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd) has called on Nigerians not to play politics of inciting the nation against itself to cause disunity as the 2015 general election approaches.
Similarly, he admonished the national conference to come out with a position that would give traditional rulers in the country constitutional roles rather than the ad-hoc role they now play in the polity.
The former military ruler made this known on Thursday in Bida at a special National Interfaith Prayers event organized to mark the 6th Nupe Day celebration at the Wadata Palace of the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar.
Babangida, who was the Chairman of the special prayer session, said that the traditional rulers should help in educating the people against acts capable of inciting the people against each other.
He said “distinguished ladies and gentlemen, we must be grateful to Allah because in Nupe land and Niger state at large, we have educated, knowledgeable traditional rulers who continue to support the development of the nation for prosperity of the citizens. As we approach 2015, we must discourage our people from acts that are capable of inciting the people against each other”.
He stated further that “It is my conviction that the ongoing national conference will recognize the social role of our traditional rulers to the citizens and government by ensuring that they have responsibility in the constitution; Indeed most of our traditional rulers are very educated, experienced and confident and capable of discharging administrative roles in the country that may be assigned to them in the constitutional review”.
