KILLINGS: Without peace in Benue, there can’t be elections in 2019, ex-gov Bafarawa tells Buhari

Former governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, has told President Muhammadu Buhari to first ensure that peace is restored in Benue and other states of the federation under herdsmen attacks before talking about 2019 general elections.

This was as the former governor cast doubts on the possibility of the coming elections in 2019 in an atmosphere devoid of peace.

Bafarawa stated this on Friday when he paid a condolence visit to Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State at the Government House in Makurdi, the state capital.

He was in the state to offer condolences to the governor and the people of the state over the killings of 73 persons on January 1, 2018, and other killings by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

“Why would there be an election in 2019 when there is no peace? The most important thing you can bring to a society is peace. When you bring peace to them, you have brought life and can then talk about the election,” the former governor said.

Noting that it was the responsibility of the Federal Government to ensure that peace reigns in Benue State and other parts of the country, Bafarawa however, urged President Buhari to engage other stakeholders regardless of political affiliation, to make sure that an end is put to the killings.

READ ALSO: For peace to reign, states should suspend anti-open grazing law- IGP Idris

To support the families of the victims of the killings, Bafarawa donated N10 million.

Ortom in his remarks appreciated him for his kind gesture and show of solidarity. Describing herdsmen and farmers crisis as a national problem, the governor said that for there to be solution that government at all levels in the country have parts to play.

 

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