Governor of Sokoto State, Dr. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, during the weekend warned leaders and stakeholders in the Nigerian project against playing politics with the tripod of the traditional institution, faith and security.
Governor Tambuwal handed down the warning while receiving in audience the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, who paid him a courtesy visit in the Government House Sokoto, Saturday on the sideline of his visit to the Sultan of Sokoto, Dr. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar.
The Ooni was not alone, the visit to the Governor was done alongside the Sultan and others in the person of the Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Abubakar Shehu III, Emir of Keffi, Dr Shehu Chindo Yamusa III and Emir of Lere, Gen. Garba Abubakar Muhammad (rtd), who was also one time military Military Administrator of Sokoto State.
Governor Tambuwal, who observed that although as politicians some leaders take certain issues for granted and in the process skid into issues that could jeopardize the collective coexistence of the country, said all hands must be on deck to ensure that nothing rocks the boat of unity.
“Sometimes we play politics. We must desist from playing politics with our traditional institutions. We must desist from playing politics with religion. We must desist from playing politics with security,” Tambuwal said adding they are issues beyond politics.
“These issues are beyond politics,” he noted, advising that: “we must try as much as possible to cooperate and work together for the unity and stability of this country.”
The governor appealed to the monarchs and other leaders in the country “to have patience and not to be daunted by certain developments of the past.”
Admonishing the traditional rulers to strengthen existing ties with the aim of ensuring the unity of the country, Tambuwal said this is important now that it “appears as if forces and enemies of progress are working against our country; and, our national cohesion is being threatened by some of these forces and tendencies.”
He encouraged them to be steadfast in playing their roles as “God is watching” and He “knows that you are invaluable to the existence and continued stability of this country.”
“I implore all the traditional rulers to be working and praying together for the peace and continued existence of Nigeria. We need all of your support and counsels so that we can continue to provide what God has given us in terms of leadership and discharge our responsibilities,” the governor emphasized.
Earlier, the Ooni of Ife expressed satisfaction that, after four attempts, he was able to pay the courtesy call on the governor, who he described as an able and dynamic leader.
“I have been following him for many years. He has natural leadership style. Many of us can testify to that. He should continue with this. He should carry everybody along not only in Sokoto but everywhere in the country as he use to do,” the Yoruba monarch stated.
“That is leadership and that is the kind of person we need to lead us. Keep doing what you are doing. We are watching you. God Almighty will continue to be with you,” he added, applauding the governor as “ever mobile, dynamic and forward looking.”
