Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

The National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN), has described President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election for a second term as divine for the progress and development of the country.

They pledged to support Buhari’s three cardinal areas of focus: fighting corruption, revamping the economy and improving security.

They also called on the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP), Atiku Abubakar to drop his plans to challenge the results of the elections in court, urging him to accept what they called “the will of God” and support President Buhari to move the country forward.

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.”

Chairman of the council and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad, Sa’ad Abubakar III,  stated this on behalf of the council on Tuesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, when he led members of the council on a congratulatory visit to President Buhari.

The Sultan said: “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 wills when He wills and how He wills. 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.”

He charged Buhari to continue to exhibit the character of justice and fairness as he leads the country.

He noted that the traditional institution as an enduring cultural heritage of the 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 well being of Nigerians, while at the same time maintaining its unwavering stance on the rule of law and practice of democracy,” he said.

Co-Chairman of the council, the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Adeyeye, Enitan Ogunwusi, said traditional rulers across the country had resolved to work very closely with government.

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

President Buhari in his remarks welcomed the traditional rulers to the “Next Level,” urging them to be prepared to play a crucial role in the prevention and detection of criminal activities in their domains.

He noted that involving the royal fathers had become necessary in view of the deep knowledge of their localities.

According to him, “You know all the families who harbour criminals and you know those who produce respectable individuals. You know the weaknesses of our society. We need your support to consolidate our achievements.”

President Buhari listed several significant efforts by his administration to enhance national security while emphasising the overall need for stability in the country.

“What we need now is your support. No government can serve creditably without your support. We will always count on your support,” he told the traditional rulers.

The president also welcomed the royal fathers to his “second and final term, at the end of which I will, God willing, go to Daura and settle down.”