President Buhari Calls For Calm Over Billiri Chieftancy Tussle

President Buhari  frowns at unecessary Billiri traditional tussle in Gombe State

OpenLife Nigeria reports that President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed “great shock and deep concern” over the eruption of violence in Gombe State arising from the Billiri chieftaincy tussle.

This is contained in a statement signed by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity.

According to the statement, President Buhari emphasized the need for maturity and decorum in handling traditional affairs especially at this period when government and citizens look into the traditional institution for remedies in critical national issues.

President Buhari said: “I’m seriously disturbed by the outbreak of violence in Gombe State and call on the parties involved to exercise maximum restraint to avoid escalation.”
According to the President, “the easy resort to violence is uncalled for because there are enough avenues to resolve differences amicably without threatening law and order.”

He noted that “in a circle of violence, there are no winners, except losers,” advising Muslims and Christians to “avoid the temptation of resorting to violence in order to express their grievances.”

“Nigerians have shed enough blood over issues that could have been peacefully resolved. I appeal to the two parties to sheathe their swords for the sake of peaceful coexistence. Gombe has enjoyed relative religious harmony for decades and you shouldn’t allow hoodlums destroy this positive record,” President Buhari appealed to the feuding parties.