By Anayo Okoli

UMUAHIA—THE Chairman of Abia State Traditional Rulers Council, Eze Eberechi Dick has emerged as the new Chairman of South East Traditional Rulers Council with a promise to work with South East Governors’ Forum to tackle problems confronting the zone.

Eze Eberechi Dick

Dick replaced the former Chairman, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, who had been having a running battle with the Council as well as his state governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha of Imo State.

The traditional rulers accused Ilomuanya of refusing to step down in contravention of their agreed convention of rotating the chairmanship after every three years, saying he had served for about eight years.

Besides, the monarchs argued that Ilomunaya was no longer a traditional ruler, having been dethroned and replaced by the Imo State government.

Following his emergence, the traditional rulers converged in Umuahia, weekend, to present the new Chairman to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.

Receiving the monarchs, Governor Ikpeazu urged them to remain united so as to assist the governors of the zone in meeting the aspirations of their people.

According to Ikpeazu, the governors of the zone are united in their quest to get what is due to the Igbo despite their political leanings.

Governor Ikpeazu noted that the Ndgbo were confronted with a lot of problems including insecurity and urged the traditional rulers to come together as one in addressing their problems and assured them that the South East governors would not disappoint them and the people of the zone.

Ikpeazu promised to liaise with his colleagues to push for a constitutional role for traditional rulers.

Earlier in his speech, the leader of the delegation and Chairman, Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu said they were in the state for their annual meeting during which they elected new executives of the council.

Prominent traditional rulers from the five states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo, including Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe attended the meeting.