President
Muhammadu Buhari Monday in Jalingo, Taraba State, said the Federal
Government will continue to strengthen relations with traditional
institutions in the country in order to find lasting solutions to the
herdsmen and farmers crises.
President
Buhari, accompanied by Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba State, had an
interactive forum with traditional rulers, community leaders,
representatives of farmers and herdsmen and government officials in the
state.
The
President said the ongoing efforts to restore peace would require the
full support and commitment of all traditional institutions, especially
in appealing to their followers to respect the dignity of life.
“I am appealing to the traditional rulers not to give up in pursuing peace,’’ he said.
President
Buhari told the royal fathers and leaders that the government was fully
committed to resolving the crises between herdsmen and farmers, and
would be counting on their structures, good will and experience in
promoting harmony.
The
President warned that all the perpetrators of violence in the country
would be investigated and prosecuted, while condoling all the families
that lost loved ones in the mayhems.
“I
came here mainly to have this forum with leaders, traditional rulers and
the government to extend my condolences to all those who have lost
loved ones and properties,’’ he added.
President
Buhari said the government had been focused on securing the country
since assumption of office, adding that "the worst critics of APC will
agree that we have tried in improving the security situation in the
country, right from the period of rising Boko Haram attacks.’’
“The country has to be secured before you can manage the economy,’’ he added.
In his
remarks, Governor Ishaku said he inherited a state that was deeply
divided along ethnic and tribal lines, noting that his government,
working with security agencies, had been working hard to reconcile the
different groups.
Ishaku said the state had more than 80 ethnic groups.
The
governor commended the Federal Government for the ongoing construction
of the Mambila Power Plant,which would greatly change the livelihood of
the people.
In
their various remarks, the traditional rulers and community leaders said
a strict adherence to the rule of law in the state would reduce the
violence that had already claimed many lives.
Garba Shehu
SSA to the President
(Media & Publicity)
March 5, 2018
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