ENUGU—TRADITIONAL Rulers in Enugu State  have condemned the roles being played by the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, in the current crisis rocking the party in the state.

The monarchs bared their minds when over three hundred of them stormed the Governor’s Lodge in Enugu in show of solidarity for Governor Sullivan Chime. They lamented the attempts by some people to cause unnecessary distraction for both the state government and the party, led by Engr. Vita Abba.

In an address signed by chairmen and secretaries of the Traditional Rulers Council in each of the three senatorial zones and  read on their behalf by Igwe S.A.C. Ozoeze, the Royal Fathers also reconfirmed their overwhelming endorsement of Governor Chime for the forthcoming elections.

Said the monarchs: “The traditional rulers in  each of the seventeen local government areas in Enugu State had, prior to this meeting, given Your Excellency (Chime) certificates of solidarity and mandate for your second tenure come 2011 elections. This is because your good governance is yet unequalled in our state.

“Being aware of the recent developments in the polity, we, the fathers of the people, cannot watch this peaceful state destabilized. This visit is to demonstrate our unalloyed, unfettered and unflinching support to this administration which shall take us to the promised land.

“The Royal Fathers make bold to assure you (Chime) that we and our subjects are still firmly where we were, we are solidly behind you.”

Also speaking, the former Chief Judge of Enugu State and ex-President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Igwe Ezebuilo Ozobu, lamented that Dr. Nwodo did not show reciprocity to the governor whom he acknowledged at different fora played a crucial role  in the former’s emergence as the national chairman of PDP.

“We were all aware of the struggle you put up (for his emergence). It is quite regrettable that you’re being paid back in this way. We want to urge you to be strong because we’re behind you.”

Igwe Osisi Itodo reiterated that “we don’t play politics, but nothing stops us from supporting someone who is doing well. We’ve come to reaffirm our stand that we’re behind you because no government has done as much for our villages and the urban areas.”

Others speakers, including Igwe Abel Nwobodo, Igwe Spencer Ugwoke, among others, spoke in the same vein.

Governor Chime, in his response, thanked the Royal Fathers for the unsolicited endorsement and solidarity, while also reassuring them that his government will not lose focus and direction despite  unnecessary distractions.

According to Chime, “I’m thankful to you that three years after, you have come on your own to acknowledge our modest accomplishments. On assumption, one of our priorities was to enthrone peace and to open our arms to welcome our brothers and sisters who have inputs to make.

“It’s in this spirit that we welcomed back our brothers and played our little roles to support them but the events of the past few weeks have been, to say the least, regrettable. I’ve tried to refrain from commenting but his comments when he (Nwodo) granted a press interview yesterday (Monday), were quite unfortunate.

“If his argument as he claimed in the said interview was because of the report from INEC, why was it only Enugu State that he purportedly unilaterally dissolved through a press statement issued by his personal aide?

There were eight states involved in the INEC report but only Enugu was said to be dissolved without even consulting the National Working Committee members. That decision remains ineffective because it was one man’s decision.”

The governor added:  “And you can’t imagine that this was the same exco that gave him the waiver which qualified him to be picked as the national chairman. The turn of events is lamentable because people expressed fears prior to his emergence that he would behave this way and I guaranteed them that it would not happen. But here we are, dissipating energy unnecessarily. Well, be reassured that we won’t be distracted.”