Buhari warns trouble-makers ahead FCT council polls

Ahead of the forthcoming Federal Capital Territory Area Councils election on Saturday the 9th of April, President Muhammadu Buhari, has warned that those who make trouble should stay away, in order not to face the full wrath of the law, stressing that all security agencies were in full gear to protect the life and property within the FCT.

This warning was given during a meeting organised by the FCT administration for all political stakeholders in the Nigerian capital city ahead the election.

Buhari, who spoke through the FCT Minister Mallam Bello Mohammed, said that election was the bedrock of democracy in any nation, through which the people express their constitutional rights, stating that both the victors and the vanquished should respect each other and the corporate existence of the country.

While calling on the residents to be law abiding, in order not to incur the full wrath of the law, he stressed the fact that security agencies had been directed to perform their constitutional duties of making sure that law and order were maintained before, during and after the election.

Buhari, who doubles as the Governor General of the FCT, according to the constitutional provisions, affirmed that the capital city of Nigeria, would not experience what other states of the country experience during elections, as it hosts nations and the diplomatic community.

While assuring residents of safety, throughout the duration of the conduct of the elections, he urged the people both the indigenes and the residents to go out to perform their constitutional duties without fear as they would be fully protected by the law enforcement agencies.

The stakeholders who graced the meeting, included members of the Senate Committee on FCT, the House of representative members, FCT traditional rulers council, religious leaders,  The police force, the Ministry of Defence, all of whom preached peace during the election in other not to derail from the dreams of the founding fathers of the Nigerian capital city.

Meanwhile, a member of the 8th Assembly from the Federal Capital Territory and the Chairman House Committee on FCT Area Councils and Auxiliary Matters, Honourable Bitrus Jisalo, has advised the Presidency to stay off the elections of the FCT Area Councils, as the Saturday’s election, is purely a state affair.

Jisalo argued that the President had no business in the election of the FCT and should stay away, since he is not an indigene of the FCT.

“The FCT, the Independent National Electoral Commission, are the election umpires to organise the process. In this election we don’t expect any body to be disqualified due to political differences. We still believe the policy of one man, one vote, in the FCT, must be maintained and anyone who does not have business here must stay away. President Buhari should stay away from FCT election because he is not from here.”

Adding his voice on non-violence election of the FCT, senator representing the FCT, Mr. Philip Tenimu Aduda, said that the FCT has been known for non- violence. He pleaded with all stakeholders never to be used in destroying their own mother land and the Nigerian capital city.