Resist money politics, Buhari urges electorate

Jethro Ibileke/Benin

Ahead of the 2019 general election, President Muhammadu Buhari has appealed to Nigerians to resist money politics, saying that it has contributed to the nation’s underdevelopment.

Buhari made the appeal on Saturday in a speech read on his behalf during the second anniversary coronation of the Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II and the launching of a book; The Benin Monarchy, an anthology of Benin History.

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 speeches 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 building bridges, as was being exemplified by the good and outstanding relationship that existed between the Sultanate and the kingdom of the Benin people.

“Nigeria has started a process for another general elections and our traditional institutions or rulers have vital roles to play. Our view 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 would continue to deliver on the change mantra to provide security, fight corruption and improve the economic 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 noted that traditional rulers had herculean task of promoting the cultural heritage of the people as custodians of culture and traditions commended the Benin monarch and council of chiefs for preserving the culture, values and traditions of the kingdom.

Earlier, the Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II, said the book was of outstanding quality and a class of its own.

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