Chairman S/East monarchs backs Peter Obi, blasts ’embarrassing’ Igbo politicians, businessmen

NewsNigeria Decides 2023

By News Band On Jan 13, 2023

His Royal Majesty, Igwe Ambassador (Dr.) Lawrence Agubuzu, Eze Ogbunechendo Of Ezema Olo Kingdom

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The Chairman of Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers, and Chairman, South East Council of Traditional Rulers, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Ambassador (Dr.) Lawrence Agubuzu, Eze Ogbunechendo Of Ezema Olo Kingdom, has thrown his weight behind the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi.

This was contained in a statement by Igwe Agubuzu on the occasion of the courtesy call on the Enugu State Traditional Rulers, in his office, in Enugu, by Mr. Obi and his running-mate Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, on Thursday, January 12.

Speaking, Agubuzu glowingly hailed Obi for his “excellent track records… innate humility… self-evident honesty… integrity… love for the down-trodden… doggedness in the face of daunting challenges… patriotism… integrity… consistent accumulation of prodigious knowledge of global trends… physical fitness… intellectual profundity cum alertness”.

He also lambasted some South East politicians, probably alluding to Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, and businessmen (Prince Arthur Eze), who, he said, are embarrassing the well-meaning good people of the South East.

Read his full speech below:

“In my dual capacity as the current Chairman of Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers and South East Council of Traditional Rulers, it gives me immense pleasure to welcome Your Excellency, Mr. Peter Obi and your running-mate Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed today in this hallowed historic chamber of the Eastern Nigeria House of Chiefs in this enchanting Coal City of Enugu, the Capital of the defunct Eastern Nigeria.
Mr. Peter Obi, the Traditional Rulers and Elders near this Capital of Capitals with whom you grew up, schooled and worked in various capacities can sincerely vouch for your demonstrated excellent track records, your innate humility, your self-evident honesty and integrity, your love for the down-trodden, your doggedness in the face of daunting challenges, your patriotism and integrity, your consistent accumulation of prodigious knowledge of global trends, your physical fitness and your intellectual profundity cum alertness.
Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Gregory Onwubuasi Obi
Today also we have an opportunity to inform you, Mr. Peter Obi, and your running-mate of the feelings of our subjects about your presidential and vice-presidential candidatures. They know, as a matter of fact, that the South East or Ndigbo did not at any level and/or at any forum whatsoever decide to choose and present Mr. Peter Obi as a presidential candidate.
They, our subjects, are however very happy and in deed part of the acclaim and jubilation with which the generality of Nigerians received the electrifying news of your choice and nomination as the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party.
It is natural in any struggle for power, which is the kernel of politics, for political opponents to raise critical questions about each other. One of such questions raised about you, Mr. Peter Obi, is whether the people of your home-base which is the South East are fully in support of your person to contest for the presidency of Nigeria.
This question is particularly germane in view of some statements credited to some politicians and businessmen of the South East extraction which embarrassed the well-meaning good people of the South East.
It is, therefore, incumbent on us Traditional Rulers who are closest to our people in our respective domains, kingdoms and communities to speak for our voiceless subjects in the discharge of our inherent and manifest responsibility as our customs and tradition demand.
Consequently, we seize the opportunity of this unique occasion to inform all Nigerians and friends of Nigeria across Africa and the world that while Mr. Peter Obi is NOT an Igbo Candidate he has the preponderant home base support of the people of the South East Geopolitical Zone of Nigeria to vie for the exulted Office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
We appeal to every Nigerian to consider Mr. Peter Obi on his own personal merits as a bona fide Nigerian. We also appeal to every Nigerian to consider every other presidential candidate as who he or she is and not on the basis of his or her tribe, religion or ethnic group.
We urge Nigerians to show love for Nigeria by following the examples of the 21″ century voters all over the world who have shun themselves of primordial sentiments and elected candidates capable of eliminating poverty, corruption, unemployment, injustice, and above all insecurity in their countries.
Let me conclude by stating quite clearly that while as Traditional Rulers we do not participate in politics, we nevertheless have the inalienable duty to advice our subjects to vote for their preferred candidates irrespective of the political parties they belong to and even after the other candidates may have given them money.
That will eventually eliminate the evil of the so called “Vote-buying” syndrome.
I thank you.
HRM Igwe, Amb. (Dr.) Lawrence Agubuzu, KSM, OON, CFR Eze Ogbunechendo of Ezema Olo Kingdom Chairman, Enugu State Council of Traditional Ruler, and Chairman, South East Council of Traditional Rulers.