S’East monarchs meet in Abia, restate call for Kanu’s release

S’East monarchs meet in Abia, restate call for Kanu’s release

By Steve Oko

 

Traditional rulers from South East, Tuesday converged in Umuahia, the Abia State capital to seek solution to the disturbing insecurity in the zone, and to deliberate on other matters of regional interest.

The royal fathers again, called for the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, arguing that his continued detention is part of the unending tension in the zone.

Addressing newsmen on behalf of the his colleagues, before the beginning of the summit, the Chairman, Abia State Traditional Rulers Council, HRM Eze Linus Nto Mbah, pleaded with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to consider political solution to Kanu’s continued incarceration.

He said that Kanu’s release would help restore peace to the South East, as those who hide under the guise of agitating for his release to unless mayhem in the zone would be easily identified.

The monarch argued that Kanu’s release would also quell the unending sit-at-home in the South East, which he regretted, is taking a toll on the peace and economy of the zone.

” We beg Mr President to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu for the return of peace to Igbo land. If he is released, we will be able to track those cresting trouble in our land in the name of agitation for his release.

” We want to know those behind the insecurity in our land, and we won’t keep quiet until peace is restored in South East.”

The monarchs blamed Igbo political elite for the seeming lack of respect by the federal government for Igbo royal fathers.

According to them, if political office holders from South East treat their traditional rulers with respect and dignity, the federal government will also accord them (monarchs) their due respect

Eze Mbah urged South East Governors to give monarchs from the zone their due respect and recognition for others to honour them.

He said that a communique would be issued at the end of the one-day summit holding at the secretariat at Abia Traditional Rulers Council inside the new JAAC building of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

In his opening remarks, the Chairman of South East Traditional Rulers Council, whose also doubles as the Imo State Chairman of Ndieze, HRH Eze EC Okeke, expressed deep concern over the wave of insecurity in the zone.

He said that traditional rulers were prepared to work with Governors and the relevant security agencies to ensure the restoration of peace and security in the zone.

Declaring the meeting open, Gov. Alex Otti said security is a collective responsibility of all, and called for the collaboration of every citizen to enhance security in the zone.

He commended the monarchs for their choice of Abia for the summit, restating the commitment of his administration to improve security in the state.

Gov. Otti said he came to serve and not for personal aggrandizement, hence the transformation being witnessed in the state.

” In Abia we define leadership as stewardship. We don’t encourage self arrangement. That’s why I don’t want to see any billboard bearing my face. If we see it, we bring it down”.

Gov. Otti who harped on selection process of leaders, said leaders should be accountable to the people who elected them.

Obi of Onitsha, HRM Igwe Alfred Achebe; Chairman, Enugu State Council of Ndieze and the immediate-past Chairman of South East Council of Ndieze, HRM Igwe Samuel Asadu; and his Ebonyi State counterpart, HRM Igwe Charles Nguma, were among the monarchs present at the summit.

The royal fathers later went into a closed door session.

 

Steve Oko, Publisher/C.E.O, WaWa News Global. For more information on advert placement and news coverage, contact us on: 08038725600, or via email stevemanofgod2000@yahoo.com; wawanewsglobal@gmail.com Always read WaWa News Global - Your most dependable online news platform for the latest breaking news in Nigeria.

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