Sokoto state governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to summon a stakeholder meeting due to calls for the reopening of land borders.
Tambuwal also called on President Buhari to invite all states for a meeting to hash out areas of concern in relation to national security rights.
The governor made the call on Thursday when he received the coordinator, Sector Four National Border Drill operations and acting Assistant Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, Mohammed Aliyu on a courtesy call.
He urged religious leaders in the country to moderate their anger while commenting on national issues, especially the current security challenges confronting the nation.
He appealed to them, “to kindly moderate and tone down their anger. Let us support, encourage and work with President to ensure that we secure Nigeria. I believe we shouldn’t play politics. We should not bring in religious sentiment on matters of security.”
He also appealed to President Buhari, “to as a matter of urgency invite some of these religious leaders and other stakeholders to a closed-door meeting.
“Let them have a fair idea of what the federal government is doing. If they have suggestions, let them speak to Mr President.”
Earlier, The Herald reported that the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sabo Nanono, said Federal Government’s closure of the Nigerian border does not in any way breach the free trade agreement in the West African sub-region.
The minister said on Sunday in Abuja that the measure was meant to protect the country and its citizens from the nefarious activities which take place at the borders.
According to him, “Free trade does not mean Nigeria has to be a dumping ground for everything imported by others. These products are not even from all these countries involved. So, why should they be feasting on us?
“Nigeria controls 60 to 70 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the West African sub-region. So, Nigeria’s economy still remains a buffer zone for the West African sub-region.”