Traditional rulers across Igbo land in the Southeast geopolitical zone
have pledged to deliver at least 70 per cent of the region’s vote to President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
Operating under the aegis of the Ndi Igbo Progressive Traditional Rulers Council, the monarchs, led by their chairman, His Royal Majesty, Eze Nnamdi Oforegbu from Abia State, during a courtesy visit to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, in Umuahia over the weekend, said Tinubu has impacted the South East economy.
Speaking on behalf of the traditional rulers, Oforegbu said their mission was to express their profound gratitude to President Tinubu for establishing the South East Development Commission (SEDC), believing it will accelerate the region’s infrastructure development.
They also commended the Deputy Speaker for his legislative ingenuity, particularly his effort in sponsoring the bill that created the Commission.
The monarchs offered their royal blessings and special prayers to God for more wisdom and political growth.
“We are here to thank you. You’re doing more than we expected. That has never happened before. We’ve not seen this kind of good work before.
“You sponsored a bill that enabled us to get the South East Development Commission (SEDC). We’ve never seen anything like it. We are praying to the Almighty God to bless you.
“We are grateful to President Bola Tinubu for appointing our sons and brothers as the pioneer heads of the SEDC. As you promote our brothers, God will raise you above your imagination.
“We are here to thank you for all you’ve done and show our support to Mr President. Continue the good work. It shall be well with you. You’ve demonstrated capacity, so I said there must be continuity from this ladder to the next.
“We want to meet the President and thank him. He became our deputy speaker, gave us SEDC, and gave Ndi Igbo many other developments and appointments.
“We assure him of our votes, 70 per cent of our votes in the next election. We are promising you we are behind you, keep succeeding. If there’s anywhere you need us to speak, let us know, and we will be there. We see all you’re doing. We are with you. May God bless you,” Oforegbu said.
In his response, Deputy Speaker Kalu commended the traditional rulers for supporting the President in 2027.
He emphasised that the president’s actions towards the Southeast region, including appointing Igbo sons to key positions, warranted their loyalty.
He said: “The president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is an example of loyalty and a rewarder of allegiance. He doesn’t forget anything you do for him. If you give him a cup of water, 10 years later, he will remember that you gave him a cup of water. And he will reward you. You saw how he fought during the election and how we stood for him.
“For eight years before him, Igbos did not occupy any position in the leadership succession ladder of the country. We have not been anywhere for 8 years. They kept telling us that we don’t have votes. Yet he remembered us and gave us the Deputy Speaker, Chief of Naval Staff, who controls the waterways, including oil and gas that Nigeria depends on; gave us the Minister of Works.
“And with your promise as traditional rulers, we will give him only 70% of our vote. We will no longer waste our vote, we will invest it, not waste it, and I’m sure that Mr President will be very happy”.
Kalu also reassured the traditional rulers of the parliament’s commitment to giving them a constitutional role and recognised their crucial contributions to national unity, peace, and security.
“Let me also inform you that we are fighting, and we will give you a place in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We will give you a voice in the constitution because you’re doing a lot. Traditional rulers, you’re doing a lot for national unity and national cohesion, for the peace and security of our rural communities. The President also respects traditional rulers so much”, the Deputy Speaker added.
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