GO FOR SECOND TERM IN OFFICE, APC GOVERNORS TELL BUHARI

 El-Rufai noted that the governors, mostly first termers, were interested in “continuity and stability”, adding that, ‘we want the president to continue with that. And we went to pray and decided to felicitate with the President and we feel satisfied that anytime we see him, he is getting better and better,”.

In another development, while reacting on the ongoing strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC), over his decision to sack teachers, El-Rufai declared that there is no going back, emphasizing that the government’s decision is “a well thought out position. We took one and half years before we made the decision and we will not change it,”

He also spoke on the clash between labour leaders and security agencies on Thursday, explaining that he did not ask the police to stop the workers, saying “I was not even in Kaduna. The right to protest is guaranteed in the constitution providing you don’t go violent and you don’t violate any laws,”.

The governor, however said there was concern over the volatile security situation in the country, pointing out that, the last time they did such a thing the protesters attacked the State House of Assembly

“And the last time they did such a thing they attacked the State House of Assembly, the legislature, for which they have filed criminal charges. So this is the concern, the concern is break down of law and order and not protest or strike. They are free to do so but it will not change our position”

He posited that his administration had already announced its decision to pay three months severance package to sacked teachers in line with the public service rule, adding also that a provision was made for those retiring to go through retirement training.

“Those that are interested in farming we have reserved land available and for those that want to go into trade, we have micro credit to support them but they are not suitable as teachers. They can do other things and the government will do other things to support them,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kano State Governor,Abdullahi  Ganduje, on his own part spoke briefly on Buhari’s handling of the farmers/herders clashes, stating that  the president had already met with key persons concerned and that “a suggestion has been put forward by the Minister of Agriculture concerning the (cattle) colony and I think eventually that is the answer”.