The Ebonyi Council of Traditional Rulers on Wednesday said that President Muhammadu Buhari will get the support of many voters in Ebonyi state during the February 16th Presidential elections.
The traditional rulers also endorsed the state Governor, David Umahi for a second term.
This
is even as President Buhari expresses satisfaction that the impact of
federal government projects were being felt in Ebonyi State.
Chairman
of Traditional Rulers Council, Eze Charles Mkpuma, said Buhari is loved
by the people because of the robust relationship he has with governor
Umahi despite the fact that they belong to different parties.
They said that this will translate to more votes for the president on election day.
They gave the assurance during an audience with the President at the Ebonyi State Government House In Abakaliki.
Mkpuma
who commended Buhari’s determination to tackle the security situation
of the country especially in his efforts in tackling terrorism and fight
against corruption said Buhari was deserving of their votes
irrespective of party differences.
The monarch who spoke on
behalf of 140 traditional rulers in the state said the President has
done well in the fight against Boko Haram and second corruption.
“We
appreciate your dogged determination to maintain utmost security of the
country especially your effort in eliminating Boko Haram and fight
against corruption which has brought respect and integrity to the
country among committee of nations.
“We believe that your robust
relationship with our son the governor and your loved for him and the
state will surely earn you votes in Ebonyi state irrespective of party
differences.”, the monarch said.
Mkpuma, said the traditional
rulers are happy with the leadership of the governor, David Umahi, who
has virtually touched every facet of human and infrastructural
development of the state, adding “we the traditional rulers like other
residents of the state have been rejuvenated and revived by the
governor.
They told the President that Umahi deserves a second
term for the sake of equity as the two former governors before him from
other zones also had two tenures.
“Since the inception of the
present democratic dispensation, Ebonyi state has operated rotation of
the governorship seat among the three senatorial zones. Thus North had
eight years with the same man, central had two terms with same man and
south is entitled to eight years with the same man.
“It is right
and proper that tradition should continue. This is why we have endorsed
incumbent governor David Umahi whose performance has been historic and
superlative as the sole candidate for 2019 gubernatorial election in
Ebonyi state. We are happy with the governor. He has touched every facet
of human and infrastructural development of the state”, Mpkuma said.
The monarchs later presented 1,000 yams and 1,000 bags to Buhari.
President Buhari, on his part, commended the governor for infrastructural development in the state.
He
promised that monies spent on the completion of the federal projects
will be refunded after the review committee would have audited the
projects.
According to him, Umahi told him during their
short drive to the government house, that he had not received up to 40
percent of the funds spent on federal projects in the state, but assured
him the monies will be refunded once the audit committee headed by the
Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, conclude its
work.
He also told the traditional rulers that his
administration’s plans to invest in agriculture was deliberate,
recalling that the First Republic was good in agriculture, because the
land was abundant and grazing routes developed.
According to him,
“But subsequently we got drunk with oil money and abandoned what kept
us intact. But we are going back to that (agriculture).”
He
assured the monarchs that the south-east will benefit from second Niger
Bridge when completed and it will affect you positively in moving goods
and services.
He urged them that his second return will be of benefit to them as he will not be seeking a third return.
The
governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi in his remarks said irrespective
of some perceptions, the south-east have benefited from federal
government projects.
He added that the federal government’s
agricultural programme has benefited the state immensely which has
resulted in increase in rice production.
Source:- Thenationonlineng
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