Jonathan visits Bauchi Emir, pledges to address insecurity in Nigeria

The president observed that Bauchi Central Prison is too close to the Emir’s place and suggested a relocation.

President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday visited the Emir of Bauchi, Rilwanu Adamu, in what has become a routine giving rise to insinuations in various quarters that the president is seeking to garner political clout via the visits.

The president, since the beginning of 2014, has visited different traditional rulers including the Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero; the Alafin of Oyo; Lamidi Adeyemi III, the Ooni of Ife, Okunade Sijuade and the Emir of IIorin, Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari.

The visits also come amidst heavy criticism about the president’s continued shunning of the three states under emergency rule, Borno, Adamawa and Yobe, where terrorists have attacked and murdered numerous people.

During his visit to the Bauchi Emir, Mr. Jonathan said the Federal Government would not relent in its efforts to address the problem of insecurity in some parts of the country. He said that the problem must be tackled for the country to progress.

Mr. Jonathan said to tackle insecurity, his administration introduced various skills acquisition programmes to tackle the problem of youth restiveness and create opportunities for employment.

The President commended the Emir for working towards ensuring peace in the state. He said in spite of Bauchi being in the North East, it had remained relatively peaceful.

Politics

Mr. Jonathan also expressed satisfaction with the performance of the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Ahmed Muazu, an indigene of Bauchi.

He said that with the appointment of Mr. Muazu, the PDP had stabilized and continued to forge ahead.

The President, who thanked the Emir for the warm reception accorded his entourage.

He also said that the Bauchi Central Prison was too close to the palace. He, therefore, suggested the re-location of the prison, promising to talk to the Minister of Interior on the issue.

Earlier in his remarks, the Emir had thanked the President for visiting him, expressing satisfaction with the cordial relationship existing between the people of Bauchi state and the Federal government.

He also thanked the Federal Government for appointing some indigenes of the state in some key positions, as well as establishing a Teaching Hospital, Federal Medical Centre and National Obstetric Fistula Centre in the state.

The President, Vice President Namadi Sambo and some prominent politicians were in Bauchi to attend the North East Zonal Rally of the PDP.

(NAN)