President Muhammadu Buhari has called on traditional rulers to
use their positions as the closest to the grassroots to secure the
country and ensure that forthcoming elections are peaceful. 

The president made the call during an audience
with a delegation of traditional rulers from the Southwest at the
Presidential Villa in Abuja on Friday. 

According to the president, those who fear
that their persons or their policies cannot win elections might resort
to incitements to violence. 

He, therefore, stressed that the
young people must not be left to those who would instigate violence and
cause others to lose their property or lives. 

“We are determined to keep order and I hope Your Highnesses are on the same page with us.” 

Buhari also reiterated the commitment of his administration to infrastructural development across the nation. 

“In every state in Nigeria, we are doing
at least one major road project. In the Southwest, we are completing the
Lagos to Ibadan expressway. 

“The reconstruction of this road, which is
the busiest in Nigeria, had not been given the attention it deserved
till now. We will complete the first phase of railway, Lagos to Ibadan
by the end of this month. 

“We are also working on several
power projects in the Southwest; of importance is the imminent
completion of power supply to Ondo South where many of the local
governments have not had power for years.” 

The president said that the nation could only
develop if resources were spent on the people and facilities that would
promote commerce and create jobs. 

He commended the traditional rulers,
especially the people of Southwest for setting the example of religious
tolerance and unity. 

“It is to your credit as traditional rulers that such harmony between religions has been achieved.” 

He also thanked the traditional rulers for the
solidarity visit, adding, “I am very much encouraged and your support
makes me even more determined to work with the best of my ability for
this country and its people.” 

The delegation, led by the Ooni of Ife, and Co-chair of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, commended the president for placing the completion of the Lagos – Ibadan expressway on the front burner. 

He also commended the administration for giving priority to the Lagos to Ibadan rail line. 

The traditional rulers expressed appreciation
to the president for the posthumous recognition given to M.K.O Abiola as
President of Nigeria, urging him to continue the good works, while
assuring that history would be kind to him. 

They also asked for more developmental projects in the region. 

Also on the delegation were the Alake of
Egbaland, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, the Oloye of Oye Ekiti, the Olukare
of Ikare Akoko, the Aseyin of Iseyin, Deji of Akure and the Alayemore
of Ido Osun.