President Muhammadu Buhari has called on traditional rulers in the country to engage their subjects, especially youths, to shun all acts of violence during the 2023 general elections.

Mr Buhari, represented by the FCT Minister, Muhammad Bello, spoke at the 25th anniversary of the Ona of Abaji and chairman, FCT Council of Chiefs, Adamu Yunusa, in Abaji.

He said every leader was responsible for being equipped for future generations and a better society, even as he appreciated the Ona of Abaji for ensuring that his subjects lived in peace and harmony.

“We should be reminded that nothing positive can be achieved under the atmosphere of rancour and violence.

“We should therefore make conscious and collective efforts to ensure peace and tranquility prevails as the election draws nearer,” he stated.

Mr Buhari, while congratulating the monarch for marking his 25th anniversary on the throne, prayed to God to continue to give the traditional ruler the divine wisdom to lead his people.

Mr Yunusa had earlier said the stool of Ona of Abaji chiefdom has a long-standing history right from when Abaji was under Kwara before the creation of Abuja in 1976.

He revealed that when Abaji became part of FCT, it was the only stool with the highest and recognised graded staff of office among the towns and villages carved in FCT, which was why he was promoted to first-class status.

The monarch said he ensured that several chieftaincy disputes at various courts were amicably resolved by him, adding that his reign has always ensured cases of kidnappings and banditry in the area are tackled.

Mr Yunusa, therefore, appealed to the government to inaugurate the completed Federal University of Technology (FUT) Abaji, the appointment of indigenes for ministerial positions, and the transformation of FCT into a state, among other requests.

(NAN)