By GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE
BENIN—VICE- President-General of the Nigerian Council of Islamic Affairs, NCIA, and  Otaru of Auchi, Alhaji Haliru Momoh, Ikelebe III, has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to immediately call a meeting of elder statesmen, religious leaders, political parties and other eminent Nigerians, to address issues troubling the country with a view  to preserving its unity.

Flanked by the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella, Alhaji A. Dirisu;  the Aidonogie of South Ibie, Alhaji Kelvin Danesi; the Ukor of Ihievbe, Ahaji Jimoh Audu, and the Ima IV of Somorika, Alhaji Idiaye, the Otaru denied rumours that mosques were burnt in Benin,  Edo State capital and  that some northerners living in the city were also killed.

He called for a return to the old price of petrol until there was a dialogue on the issue by all concerned.
He said: “There are fundamental issues that need to be addressed that have to do with governance.

Though I am not in a position to speak on governance, the political parties are there and ofcourse, we have our communities and subjects. We know their feelings on what is happening in the country. We urge that there should be  dialogue to find a solution to the problems looming in the country, so that we don’t give room for the escalation of these problems.

“Government should convey as a matter of urgency, a meeting of all elder statesmen of Nigeria, all politicians, traditional and religious leaders to find a way of convening a further convention, which may be regarded as a national conference, so that we set about finding solutions to national problems with justice, fairness and equity.”