… As FCTA warns monarchs over breach of peace
By Joyce Remi- Babayeju
As the territory counts down to the 2022 FCT Area Councils’ elections, the FCT Administration has admonished traditional rulers of the 17 Abuja graded Chiefdoms to champion peace in their domains especially before and during electioneering exercise in the Territory.
Mandate Secretary, FCT Area Council Services Secretariat (ACSS), Hon. Ibrahim Abubakar Dantshoho warned that failure to do this the FCT Administration will not hesitate to hold traditional leaders responsible for the breakdown of peace in their domains, as they are those closest to the people.
Dantshoho, advised the various graded Chiefs to talk to their subjects to toe the line of peace irrespective of their party differences during and after the elections, adding that this is the only way to ensure safety of lives and property.
The Mandate Secretary , who spoke during ACSS’s familiarisation tour to some FCT Graded Chiefs in Abaji and Kwali Area Councils, said the government is not unmindful of the prevailing security challenges in the country.
He emphazing that the trouble makers involved in acts that breach the peace are known to the people within the various domains of the FCT, he noted that the Chiefdoms cannot be left out of the quest to foster peace especially in the wake of the prevailing insecurity.
He said, “As the traditional ruler, in your domain you should talk to your subjects on why there must be peace, as once there is peace a lot of things would be enjoyed. That’s why we are preaching peace.”
“In the next five weeks or so we will be having the area council election and the Minister said we should convey this message to you why there must not be any loss of lives , you need to talk to your subjects that irrespective of party differences , there should be peace before, during and even after the elections.
“And if you (graded chiefs) allow anything to happen in your domain the FCT administration will not hesitate to hold you responsible for their action or inaction, on why it was not curtailed”.
“We urge you to preach peace to your people before, during and after the electioneering, so that we will continue to enjoy peace , that the FCT is known for.”
He said, “We want to continue to have relative peace within the FCT, as few months back most people found it difficult to travel through the Gwagwalada/Abaji/Lokoja road, because of the fear of the unknown, but ever since then, the government has been proactive in tackling the challenge of insecurity.”
“And before everyone of you, they (Chiefs) were grateful to the FCT Administration for being proactive in solving the security challenges, especially not too far from the electioneering period.
“As you know, the Hon FCT Minister, Mallam Muhammadu Musa Bello, and Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu have always been on the top of the situation, so we will articulate whatever we have gotten, and put it before them, and I will assure that in no small time, we will address the issues.”
Responding, Etsu of Yaba Chiefdom , in Abaji Area Council, Alh. Abdulahi Adamu, called on politicians to ensure that they follow established law and order of the society, in the pursuit of their aspirations.
AAccording to Adamu all the Chiefdoms want is peace with or without elections, noting that nothing can be done in the atmosphere of crisis .”
The paramount ruler further made a passionate appeal for continuous upgrading of status of graded chiefs in FCT as a way of ensuring strategic progression of the traditional institutions.
Similarly, Etsu Wako Chiefdom, in Kwali, Abdulaziz Usman Ibrahim, decried the absence of a Police station and perimeter fencing of schools in the Chiefdom.
He stressed the need to empower its teeming unemployed youth, equip its cPolice Post, which has remained unutilised in the area.
Daybreak reports that the 2022 FCT Area Council’s Elections is scheduled for 12th February, 2022.
