The Gbong Gwom Jos, His Royal Majesty, Dr Jacob Gyang Buba, has cautioned the Berom people against politics of division, and tasked them with politics of unity.
Buba, who is the Chairman of the Plateau Traditional Council of Chiefs and Emirs, gave the advice at Nzem Berom Jot Batoh, the cultural festival of the Berom people in Jos North Local Government Area (LGA), of the state.
The paramount ruler told his subjects that politics should be a vehicle to bring development to the land instead of dividing the people along political lines.
The Gbong Gwom Jos expressed regrets that politics had been hijacked by selfish politicians who did not mean well for the generality of the people.
“Politics that is supposed to be a tool for development and advancement has become a thing of division.
“But selfish politicians think of themselves only and pretend to be thinking about the people.
“We appeal to everybody not to allow their personal greed to create problems for us.
“We call on all our politicians to harmonise their acts and play politics with decency, politics that is aimed at developing the land so that we can enjoy whatever each one of us are doing.
“The fact that the community voted for you must not make you arrogant. No one, not even the stool of the Gbong Gwom is above the people,” he advised.
According to Buba, there can never be a king without people, stressing that it is the people who make the king.
The Gbong Gwom told the politicians; elected and appointed, to see their positions that God had endowed them with as a responsible opportunity to serve; and serve the people right in every aspect.
Buba urged Plateau citizens to explore all opportunities that would deepen peace and unity and bring prosperity to the state.
“We are appealing to all of you to come together; reason together; ask us questions; ask the communities what they want, and then we will be able to find a way forward in peace and in love with one another.
“Nobody, should use this as a tool to disenfranchise or create chaos within the community if we want to truly move forward and move forward together,” he added.
Prof. Ishaya Tanko, Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos, who chaired the occasion, said the Berom Annual Cultural Festival had contributed to the historical development of the state and beyond.
Tanko said that the festival had fostered unity and promoted cultural exchange in Plateau, the North Central, and Nigeria at large.
Mr Peter Gai, Plateau Commissioner for Lands, Survey, and Town Planning, said that the festival was celebrated low-key to mourn the late traditional ruler of Kabong, Retired Justice Gabriel Sha.
Gai, who is also the Planning Committee Chairman, urged the people to work together for the good of Berom Land. (NAN)
