The elders, under the aegis of Conference of Concerned Yoruba Elders, said the president’s gesture was a demonstration of his unwavering confidence in the South West to help his administration give Nigerians the much-needed security as he pledged during his campaign.

CCYE National Coordinator, Prof. Olusegun Ajibola and National Secretary, Dr Catherine Adisa, urged their kinsmen to reciprocate the president’s gesture by supporting his administration to succeed in bestowing an enduring legacy of good leadership for the country.

They, however, expressed reservation over what they called the continuous side-lining of their Igbo neighbours from the security management team.

They said this gave them concern as it had happened to the South East for the second time since 2015.

They urged Buhari to review the appointments and accommodate the South East for justice and equity.

They said no ethnic group or tribe had more stake in the Nigerian project than the others, asking Buhari to right “this wrong” so that every part of the country could have a sense of belonging in Nigeria.