Buhari urges electorate to resist money politics

President Muhammadu Buhari, weekend, urged the Nigerian electorate to resist money politics in the forthcoming general elections, saying that it in the long run contributes to underdevelopment.

Buhari made the appeal in his speech during the second anniversary coronation of the Benin monarch, Oba Ewuare II, and the launch of the ‘Benin Monarchy: An Anthology of Benin History’ at the Oba’s Palace, Benin.

The president, who was represented by the Secretary to the Federal Government, Boss Mustapha, also urged traditional rulers in the country to sensitize their subjects on the need to eschew violence and hate speech and preach the message of peace, harmony, development, elimination of the use of drugs and substances, security and economic prosperity.

He also charged traditional rulers to continue to build bridges as exemplified by the good and outstanding relationship that exists between the Sultanate and the Kingdom of Benin.

“Nigeria has started a process for another general election and our traditional institutions or rulers have vital roles to play. Our view is to sensitize our people on the need to eschew violence and hate speeches, preach the message of peace and harmony, development, elimination of the use of drugs and substances, security and economic prosperity.

“Traditional rulers should continue to build bridges of love, mutual, respect across the country. They must continue to stay above some changes in the digital world while jealously guarding and protecting the core good values, customs and transitions that distinguished our respective people,” he said.

While assuring that his administration will continue to deliver on the change mantra to provide security, fight corruption and improve the economy for the betterment of all Nigerians, he appealed to traditional rulers to downplay or completely remove the negative messages of violence, ethnicity and religious intolerance and difference.

The president, who noted that traditional rulers have Herculean task to continue to promote the cultural heritage of the people as custodian of culture and tradition, commended the Benin monarch and council of chiefs for preserving the culture, values and traditions of the kingdom.

Earlier in his address, the Benin monarch, Oba Ewuare II, said the book is of outstanding quality and in a class of its own.

Ewuare II said notable authoritative scholars and researchers of Benin history contributed to the writing and publication of the book.

The monarch also described the book as a great tribute to a great culture and good people.

The chairman of the occasion, General Yakubu Gowon (Rtd), noted that one of the tragedies of Africa was that her story has always been told by others from their perspectives and for their own purposes.

Gowon added that much of the narrative about the African continent has been but a distorted picture.

Personalities at the event included former President Goodluck Jonathan, Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, politicians, National Assembly members, captains of industry, members Edo State House of Assembly, among others.

IDRIS UMAR MOMOH, Benin