THE Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, is worried by the bloodshed in parts of the north, especially with the 2015 elections approaching.
He wants President Goodluck Jonathan to urgently take steps to stop the killings.
“Let’s not make 2015 a year of taking innocent lives away,” he cautioned yesterday in his palace, while receiving the president who was on a private visit, his second in as many weeks.
“This is one of the things bothering Nigerians. There should a be level play filed and politicians should ensure that there is no waste of blood for the quest for power.”
The Sultan cited the intermittent clashes in Benue State between Fulani herdsmen and Tiv farmers and asked the president to meet with the governors of the affected areas with a view to finding a lasting solution to the problem.
“You have to do everything possible to bring politicians, all ethnic nationalities and religious interest groups together for talks on the way out against the trend of insurgency and clashes especially in the North east,” he said.
“Human life is important and sacred and we should not play politics with security. You should endeavour to take objective suggestions from people to bring the madness to an end.
“We are full of sadness with heavy hearts about what is happening. We are worried by the number of lives of our young children lost recently in Yobe.”
He acknowledged that though the task of overcoming the insurgency is huge, Nigerians owe it a duty to be committed to the course.
The Sultan also reiterated the need for the leadership to be transparent and God fearing in governance.
“Although, we have heard Mr. President’s words of commitment on that, and we want other politicians to do the same, we will do our best to ensure peace and unity prevail in the country,” he stated.
He presented the president with a publication on the principles leadership.
President Jonathan said he was in Sokoto to pay his respect.
He hailed the Sultan’s efforts at fostering unity and peace in the country.
“We are committed to the peace and unity of Nigeria,” he maintained.
Also speaking, Governor Aliyu Wamakko decried the killings in the Northeast, saying, “these acts must be tackled and stopped.
“Government must do something urgently to stop the loss of lives particularly in the north east,” he urged.
Wamakko told the president that Sokoto was founded on the path of honesty, good governance, rule of law and respect for human value.
Meanwhile, the governor at a brief meeting shortly after the departure of the president reiterated his support and resilience of the All Progressives Change (APC) to win the 2015 elections in the state.
He said:” We are committed in spirit and soul to ensure victory of the APC. We are for change and stand for the course. No retreat, no surrender for what our people desire.” (0)
We must avoid bloodshed in 2015 election - Sultan tells Jonathan
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