By Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
Ahead of the 2023 general elections, Gamji Association of Nigeria (GAMA), Kwara State Chapter, has enjoined the politicians to play by the rules and consolidate on the laudable footprints of the Founding Fathers of Nigeria at ensuring a united and indivisible country .
The association also urged Nigerians to be wary of separatist movements and agitators and support government’s efforts at restoring peace, security and stability in all parts of the Country.
The President General of Kwara Gamji ,Professor Abubakar Laaro, who gave the admonition in Ilorin, the state capital, enjoined the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and other organisations responsible for the conduct of elections to create a level playing ground for all political parties and ensure a hitch free, credible and acceptable exercise.
The President General extolled the virtues and achievements of the late Sardauna of Sokoto and Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello, describing him as a selfless, patriotic, exemplary Nigerian and a Pan Africanist who was killed in a coup de’tat on 15th January, 1966.
He said: “I urge Nigerian politicians to emulate the unbiased nature, incorruptible leadership qualities of the late Sarduana, which the people lauded irrespective of religious, tribal or regional differences as a result of which he dealt with Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, and other tribes justly, fairly and equitably.”
The Gamji members expressed great concern over the security challenges facing the nation, particularly Northern Nigeria, which, they said, was most hit by these acts of criminality and therefore stressed the need for Nigerians to bury their political, ethnic and religious differences and work together to bring the activities of the bandits, kidnappers and other criminals to an end.
Members of the association commended the nation’s security apparatus for fighting tooth assiduously to overcome the bandits, enjoining them to device new strategies to finally silence the criminals more so that a reputable court of law and the Federal Government have declared the bandits as terrorists.
The Gamji members, who lauded the efforts of President Buhari in the governance of the nation, also commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for the remarkable achievements his administration has recorded so far in the state and appealed to the people of the state to give him unhindered support for him and his government to actualise the dream of making Kwara investors’ destination rather than engaging on diversionary politics and politics of bitterness and hatred.
The members congratulated the Emir of Lafiagi, Ahaji Kawu Mohammed-Kudu, as the new Emir of Lafiagi, and the Etsu Patigi Umar Ibrahim Bologi on their appointments to the throne of their forefathers and prayed for them for a successful reign.
Prof. Abubakar announced various programmes to commemorate the 56 years demise of Late Ahmadu Bello, while special prayers were held for the departed members of the association, particularly the immediate past President General, late Surveyor Muritala Orire.
A founding member of the Association who is also the Danmasani of Ilorin, Engineer Yahaya Alapasanpa expressed the support and joy of the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari to the activities of Gamji.
The Danmasani, however, implored them to be more proactive in their activities of promoting the legacies of Late Sir Ahmadu Bello and what he stood for during his life time.
