Don’t Overheat Polity, Buhari Tells Politicians

• As religious leaders demand free, fair election

By Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari has advised politicians who lost out during the recent party primaries in the country to toe the path of honour and pursue their greviances in line with laid down procedures to avoid unnecessary tension.
He said that as far as the present administration was concerned the era of lack of transperancy and accountability was over.

The president spoke at the closing session of a three-day conference on religious harmony in Nigeria, organised by the Interfaith Initiative for Peace (IIP).
President Buhari’s admonition came just as religious leaders, including the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Mohammed Saidu Abubakar, and Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, His Eminence, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, asked security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure fairness and neutrality in their conduct before, during and after the 2019 general elections.

The president who narrated his political experiences in his quest for the presidency, stated that the often held belief that religious and ethnic affinity give one advantage has never worked for him.

Speaking on the expectations of Nigerians for a free and fair 2019 general elections, President Buhari said the era of lack of transperancy and accountability was over.
In attendance at the event were former Heads of State, General Yakubu Gowon and General Abdulsam Abubakar; Primate of the Anglican Church, Nicholas Okoh; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; and the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno.

More details later…