Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, the Etsu Nupe and Chairman, Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, has called on Nigerians to pray for peace before, during and after the forthcoming general elections.
He made the call when the African Democratic Party (ADP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Yabagi Yusuf-Sani, paid him a courtesy visit at his Wadata Palace in Bida on Tuesday.
Abubakar called on all and sundry to embark on fervent prayers for credible, free, fair and peaceful general elections.
He cautioned politicians against taking elections as a do-or-die, saying that what should be paramount to them was service to humanity.
“God gives leadership to whosoever He wishes at His appointed time. Every Nigerian has equal right to aspire to any position.
“As such, as a true believer in God, we believe that those who will win various elective positions are already ordained by Him.
“There should be a level-playing ground for all to thrive. We should bear in mind that we can only have one chairman, governor or president at a time.
“As such, politicians should know that it is not a do-or-die but to have faith in God,’’ he said.
Abubakar urged Nigerians to strive to make democracy to work in the country by emulating the best global democratic practice.
He thanked the presidential candidate for his courage to contest for the nation’s number one seat, adding that all his subjects were proud of him.
The traditional ruler prayed for his victory during the election, saying if he won, development would be closer to his kinsmen.
Speaking earlier, the presidential candidate said he was in the palace to receive the royal blessings of the Etsu Nupe, whom he described as a proud father of all in Nupe kingdom.
He said that uniting the country and eradicating poverty would be his topmost priorities, if elected president of Nigeria.
Yusuf-Sani also promised to give constitutional roles to traditional rulers so as to give proper attention to the people.
“Traditional rulers are closer to the people and they live with them daily; the people can access them without any protocol to channel their problems for prompt action,’’ he said.