President Muhammadu Buhari has lamented rising insecurity challenges bedeviling Nigeria, saying the situation was increasingly putting pressure on the resources of the federal government.
The President, who spoke in Owerri on Thursday at the South East Post-election Peace Conference/Summit organised by the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, expresses regret that the situation, which his administration fought successfully during the early stages of his government, has appeared insurmountable.
Buhari, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, said he was of the belief that now the elections had ended, what the country needed now was healing.
He said upon assumption of office, he swore to protect the lives and properties of the citizens of the country and that he would continue to do what was necessary to bring peace and ensure peaceful coexistence of the country. The president assured Nigerians not to despair as according to him, the situation was not insurmountable.
According to him, he successfully stirred country out of recession through the fight against corruption, restoration security and agriculture, saying soon, the unfortunate incidents would be a thing of the past.
While promising that his administration would continue to support the traditional rulers to maintain peace in their various communities, he charged Royal fathers not to relent in ensuring peaceful coexistence in the country.
Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, speaking earlier called on the federal government to make communities as fourth tier of government.
According to Okorocha, if the role of Traditional Rulers were spelt out with the Constitution, it would help to ensure peaceful coexistence in the country.
In their separate remarks, the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar and Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi commended the south east monarchs for holding such important summit, saying everything about the summit centered on security, without which there would be no peace.
They lamented that the last election brought so much rancour, but called on those defeated in the election to embrace the one upon whom God had entrusted power.
In his opening remarks, the Obi of Onitsha and Chairman South East Council of Traditional Rulers, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, said the summit was hosted in Owerri on a special request from the state government.
The monarch charged traditional rulers of south east extraction to take message of peace home to their various palaces and communities.
CULLED FROM NEWS EXPRESS
