Traditional rulers from the South-East have again called for peace, security, unity across the country.
They highlighted that these ingredients were necessary for accelerated sustainable development.
The monarchs made the call during their meeting held in Umuahia, Abia State capital.
The conference which was attended by the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe and top traditional rulers from the South East, was also used to deliberate on matters affecting the region and the way forward.
The monarchs observed that peace, development and unity were important in accelerating development in the South East and bemoaned the level of insecurity in the zone.
Speaking, chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers Eze Emmanuel Okeke and his Abia State counterpart Eze Linus Nto Mba commended Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti for the peace and development policies his administration had initiated and for the cordial relationship between the executive arm of government and the traditional institution in Abia.
In his address, Governor Otti expressed astonishment at the rate of civil unrest in the communities as a result of disagreement in the selection process of their traditional rulers.
Otti warned that traditional rulers should not be imposed on the people because of their financial advantage over others. He said due process must be followed before a monarch ascends the throne.
The governor reminded them of traditional institutions’ pivotal role in democratic dispensation.
