By Wole Mosadomi

MINNA —  governor Muazu Babangida Aliyuof Niger State has warned traditional rulers in the state not to participate in partisan politics, just as he declared that there was no vacancy at the Government House for now.

The governor who spoke in Agaie during a PDP function said on no account should the royal fathers identify with any of the registered political parties in the country.

According to him, “you have been identified and honoured as fathers of all in the state and that is why you should be seen as fathers of all political parties in the state.”

He directed them not to attend any function of political parties but, however, gave them the freedom to receive any of the parties that pay them courtesy calls in their palaces.

Aliyu who also defended some of the traditional rulers who attended the PDP function, said: “Don’t be surprised that the Emirs are attending this ceremony; they are attending not on political basis but because the governor is attending.”

The governor who was conferred with another traditional title of “Badakoshin Agaie” by the Emir of Agaie, Alhaji Muhammadu Kudu Abubakar III, called on the people to shun politics of tribe, money or religion but to vote for a candidate that would better their lives.

This, he said, could be done by voting for the right candidate and protecting their votes during elections in order not to be cheated politically, adding that those who collect bribe from politicians have invariably lost their rights and conscience and will consequently vote for a wrong candidate.

Aliyu reminded the people of the state that “Niger State is the home of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, and for anyone to think that a mega-party is coming to take over the leadership of the state is a wishful thinking because it will not happen.”