Traditional rulers from Anambra State, led by Prince Arthur Eze, on Thursday, visited the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The monarchs included HRM Eze Dr Nkeli Nzekwe, HRM Igwe Chuba Mbakwe, HRM Igwe Chijioke Nwankwo, HRH Igwe Anthony Onwekwelu, and HRH Igwe Chukwuma Bobo Orji.
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The traditional leaders, who were received by Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, expressed appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitment to development of the country in general, and the South East in particular.
The royal fathers listed the landmark projects embarked upon by President Buhari in their region to include; the Second Niger Bridge, the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, among others.
“The people of the South East are, indeed, grateful as we have never had it so good, and on their behalf, we say DAALU (thank you),” the Royal fathers declared.
Also lauding the President for appointing Igbo sons and daughters into key positions in government, they said as custodians of the heritage of the people, they felt it was incumbent on them to “come and express our appreciation on behalf of the entire people of the area, and to urge Your Excellency to do more for the Zone.”
The Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Gambari, who, thanked them for coming, added that the gesture would encourage the President to do even more for the region and the country as a whole.
“As it is generally said in most parts of the country, when you thank somebody for what he has done, he is encouraged, and does more.
“This is an incentive for the President to do more for the country, and also for the South East,” Professor Gambari said in a statement issued Thursday night by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina.
On Thursday, Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra approved the suspension of 12 traditional rulers in the state for an initial period of one year with effect from Aug. 11, over alleged misconduct.
Greg Obi, the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, who made this known in a statement on Thursday, said the suspended monarchs travelled out of Anambra without government approval.
Mr Obi said the governor invoked the Anambra Traditional Rulers Law of 1981 to justify the suspension.
According to him, the suspended monarchs are; Alex Edozieuno of Mkpunando; Mark-Anthony Okonkwo of Alor; Chukuwma Orji of Ezinifite; G.B.C Mbakwe of Abacha; Chijioke Nwankwo of Nawfa and Nkeli Nelly of Igbarim.
Others are; Anthony Onyekwere of Owelle; A. N. Onwuneme of Ikenga; Ikechukwu Chidubem of Umumbo; S. O. Uche of Ezira; Emeka Ilouno of Ifitedunu and Peter Ikegbunem Udoji of Eziagulu.
“During the sanction period, you are required to stop holding yourselves out as traditional rulers and to cease from discharging traditional rulers’ functions in your communities or elsewhere in the state and beyond.
“This sanction may be lifted at the end of one year or renewed or upgraded in the intervening period depending on government’s review of your conduct.
“By this sanction, membership of Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council is revoked, furthermore any appointment in other government committee is hereby rescinded,” he said.
This brings to 13 the number of traditional rulers suspended in the state in the last one month.
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