Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma has threatened to deal ruthlessly with any traditional ruler in the state who still indulges in politics or engages in open campaign or electioneering for any politician.
The Governor who dropped the warning on Tuesday, May 26, 2020, when the leadership of Okigwe Elders Forum paid him a visit at Government House, Owerri, added that his government will not tolerate royal fathers indulging in politics. He wants those who are more interested in politics to quit the stool and join. He maintained that traditional rulers must allow politics to be played by politicians, so that their traditional stool could be revered.
The warning is coming on the heels of endorsement of different political office seekers by some of the Okigwe Traditional rulers which obviously portrayed them in bad light.
The governor said,“Traditional rulers should remain in their various communities. Traditional rulers should assist government in managing security in their communities. Traditional rulers are to be involved in partnering with government for developmental programmes.
Traditional rulers should allow politics to be played by politicians.
Under my watch, I will not tolerate a situation where traditional institutions will be politicized. I will visit such situations with the seriousness it demands.
This state will not go back to that business as usual. We must bring dignity to traditional institutions”, he thundered.
As if that was not enough, Uzodinma emphasized further, “traditional rulers must be respected. When they intervene, we must say yes these are royal fathers that intervene rather politicians have come to intervene when we send them to go any place, we can beat our chest (SIC) that they will live above politics. These are the kinds of things I want to return.
Politics is meant for politicians while development and welfare of the people is (SIC) meant for government and traditional rulers. Under such partnership, our new Imo will be a reality”.
