Nasarawa Guber: Concerned citizens appeal to traditional rulers on neutrality

***warn against plot to influence tribunal judgement

From Daniel Abel, Lafia

As the governorship election tribunal sitting in Lafia, Nasarawa state Capital adjoined it’s sitting for the adoption of written addresses by the parties involved, concerned citizens of the state have urged traditional rulers to stick to their roles as custodians of the people rather than dabbling into political partisanship.

In a statement issued by Hon. Adamu Musa Gudi in Lafia, the group alleged that the appeal has become necessary in view of the moves being made by some traditional rulers planning a meeting with the vice president to mount pressure on the tribunal to deliver the governorship judgement in favour of governor Abdullahi Sule.

“Our attention has been drawn to a scheduled meeting of highly placed traditional rulers allegedly led by the Emir of Lafia who are in Abuja currently for a scheduled meeting with the vice president at 4pm today Tuesday.

“We want to draw the attention of the Vice President to the need for him to refuse to get involved in any judicial matter involving citizens as a father of all in Nigeria.”

“Let it be on record that the governorship election in Nasarawa state as prescribed by the law of the land, should be left in the hands of the tribunal who were carefully selected to adjudicate.
“Any attempt by the traditional institution to influence the decision of the tribunal would be resisted.

He said, the traditional institution should maintain their role of ensuring that there is peace in their respective domains”.

“According to our findings, the monarchs are currently in Abuja to meet with the VP in order to lobby on behalf of the governor to influence the tribunal to rule in his favour.

Those in Abuja for the meeting billed for 4 pm, this evening as reliably gatherd, included the
Emir of Lafia, the Aren Eggon, The Etsu of Karu, Chun Mada, Sarkin Keffi, Sarkin Awe, Sarkin Nasarawa, Andoma of Doma and Sarkin Gudi.

“We wish to state that as law abiding citizens, our traditional rulers should not do anything that could plunge the state into anarchy adding that they should recall their shameful role when they assumed campaign positions for the governor in the last election when they were largely ignored by their people.

“We therefore wish to call on the vice president to always toe the part of honour, peace as one of the leaders of our nation, we the assurance and believe that our vice president will heed to the voices of the people of Nasarawa state.