The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Mohammed Saidi Abubakar; Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Emiton Ogunwusi Ojaja II; Obi of Onitsha, His Royal Majesty Prof. Alfred Achebe; Obong of Calabar, His Eminence Ediden Ekpo Okon Abasi; Etsu of Nupe, HRH Alhaji Valiya Abubakar; and other eminent Traditional Rulers across the nation stormed Owerri, Imo State Capital for post-election peace Summit on the platform of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria.
The traditional rulers who arrived Owerri for the august Summit fixed for Thursday, May 2, 2019 at the Palatial Eze Imo’s Palace Owerri had paid Courtesy Call on Governor Rochas Okorocha at the Government House Owerri, with the governor explaining why his opponents always misinterpret his firm belief in the Unity of the Country and call him “OkoroAwusa”.
The governor explained that he has always believed in the unity and indivisibility of this great nation especially when he recalls that he was born Igbo, brought up by the North and empowered by the West, adding that he has every reason to believe in the Country and her Unity.
The governor appealed to Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of nationhood because when that happens other parts of the Country would not be seeing the insurgency in the North as the problem of the North or the militancy in the Niger Delta as the problem of South-South or kidnapping in the South-East as the problem of the South-East people.
The Ooni of Ife who spoke on behalf of the eminent traditional rulers said “We are here as traditional rulers under the umbrella of National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria. What we are known for is to foster unity and peaceful co-existence across the entire country, Nigeria. We have decided to bring our meeting here, to further foster unity and peaceful co-existence in our dear Country and now to the South-East part of this Country, but in particular no other place than Imo State.
“We are happy over the good things the governor of Imo State has done over the last 8 years. We understand how you revived the traditional institution and particularly what you have actually contributed, a beautiful edifice for us to be having various meetings across the entire country. You have built a very great legacy for yourself”.
His words “We will use that place today and it is a great honour for all of us the traditional rulers because I have never seen a structure like that built for the traditional institution across the six geo-political zones of this country. We are aware of the political tensions across the Country, we are here to make a statement that we all belong to Nigeria and Nigeria is greater than all of us. We are here again to take it further, that as traditional rulers, we should wake up from our slumber, we should rise up to that occasion, we should continue to support governance, to support all the acts of governance in this Country, for us to know that the traditional rulers of this Country will continue to support each and every thing you are doing”.
The Oni continued “We want to let you know and continue to assure you, particularly the entire South-Eastern Zone of this Country that there would be all inclusive initiatives to carry everybody along across all the various geo-political Zones in Nigeria and we know that Nigeria belongs to all of us and we don’t have any other place to go other than our dear Country Nigeria. Also, we want to associate with all the good things that we know that the South-Easterners are actually made of; and that is why you have seen a very rich and quality representation across the entire Six geo-political zones. We only know unity in the traditional institution in Nigeria and that is what we want to foster in the nation”.
He remarked “We will continue to move across the length and breath of this nation to foster peace across the States of the federation irrespective of political or religious differences inherent in those states. We all belong to Nigeria and Nigeria is greater than all of us. We want to associate with the government of Imo State, particularly with governor Okorocha who has done very well for the State over the last eight years. We shall continue to pray for you and wish you well as you are moving to another level. You have done your bit, and your legacies can never be erased. God bless you”.
They all commended their host, the Chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Eze Samuel Ohiri for showing leadership.
Sam Onwuemeodo
Chief Press Secretary to Governor Rochas Okorocha
