Traditional rulers who traveled to Abuja last week, only went to congratulate the vice president, Kashim Shettima on his victory during the 2023 general elections.
Nasarawa State commissioner for Local Government, Community Development and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Aliyu Tijani Ahmed stated this in a statement he issued to journalists.
Ahmed said the clarification became necessary following relentless media campaigns by opposition political parties, seeking to politicise the trip by the traditional rulers.
Last Wednesday, some selected traditional rulers led by the Emir of Lafia, HRH Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad, who doubles as the chairman of the state Council of Chiefs, paid a congratulatory visit on the vice president in Abuja, with the visit drawing diverse commentaries especially from opposition political parties in the state.
The commissioner said it has become necessary to clear the air on the trip by the traditional rulers, in order to correct any ill-conceived notion attached to the visit which was strictly to cement the relationship between the people of Nasarawa State and the vice president.
The statement by the commissioner reads: “Recently, both the mainstream and new media have been inundated by comments relating to the visit on the Vice President of Nigeria, His Excellency, Senator Kashim Shettima, by some selected traditional rulers from Nasarawa State, led by the Emir of Lafia, His Royal Highness, Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad (rtd).
“In order to clarify issues pertaining to the visit, it has become necessary for the Ministry to state as follows:
“That immediately after their victory at the 2023 presidential election, traditional rulers from the northern part of the country undertook congratulatory visits to the Aso Rock Villa, to identify with and congratulate His Excellency, Senator Kashim Shettima, on his election as the vice president.
“That, no private meeting held between any member of the delegation of tradition from Nasarawa State and the vice president while on the visit…..”