AWKA—TRADITIONAL rulers from Anambra North senatorial zone have endorsed Senator Joy Emodi for a return to the senate.

Emodi represented the zone until the nullification of her election by the Court of Appeal sitting in Enugu.

Rising from a meeting at the palace of Igwe Nzekwe Kelly, the traditional ruler of Igbariam and Chairman, Anambra North Traditional Rulers Council, the 14 royal fathers present said the zone had been feeling the absence of Emodi in the senate and would do everything possible to ensure that she was reelected to go back to complete the good work she was doing for the zone.

Senator Emodi is seeking reelection to the senate on the platform of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA.

Igwe Kelly, who spoke on behalf of the traditional rulers after their meeting, said: “When she (Emodi) was in the senate, we used to see her speak on the floor of the senate frequently.”

“We, the people of this zone, know what she has attracted to Anambra North and the number of people that have benefitted from her empowerment programme and our people are very impressed.

“We know that the senate is a place for intelligent people like Senator Emodi and our people will like to see her back in that hallowed chambers.

“We, the traditional rulers, have decided that she will go back and we are asking our people to be prepared to vote for her. We have taken this decision believing that she will even do more for us when she goes back.

“Though we are not politicians, we know that we can influence her political party, APGA, through our governor, Mr. Peter Obi, the national chairman of the party, Chief Victor Umeh, and even Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu to ensure that she secures your party’s ticket.”

Emodi, who arrived the venue of the meeting with all the seven local government chairmen of APGA and other supporters of the party, commended the royal fathers for their support and promised not to disappoint them if she was returned to the senate.

She enumerated some of her achievements in the senate to include attracting a number of projects to the area and empowering widows and less privileged people in the area through micro credit to start their own businesses.

She also said that no fewer than 60 people had benefitted from her scholarship scheme, while many schools had been renovated and equipped, thereby creating a conducive environment for teaching and learning.

She challenged those opposed to her to show proof of what they had done for the people, adding that some of them were only interested in acquiring enormous wealth for themselves without caring for those around them.