Chidi Samuel|
The Ebonyi Council of Traditional Rulers on Wednesday endorsed the reelection bid of President Muhammadu Buhari and governor David Umahi in the 2019 presidential election.
The monarchs who spoke at government house, Abakiliki, Ebonyi state, assured Buhari that he would get the support of many voters in the state at the February 16th presidential election.
According to the chairman of traditional rulers council, Charles Mkpuma, Buhari is loved by the people of the state because of the robust relationship he has with governor Umahi despite the two being in different political parties.
The monarch, who spoke on behalf of 140 traditional rulers in the state, commended President Buhari’s determination to tackle the security challenges of the country, especially terrorism, and fight against corruption, said he noted, deserve their votes.
Mr. Mkpuma while endorsing the governor, told the President that traditional rulers were happy with the leadership of governor Umahi, who he said has touched every facet of development in the state.
“We the traditional rulers like other residents of the state have been rejuvenated and revived by the governor,” he said.
“We are happy with the governor. he has touched every facet of human and infrastructural development of the state”, Mr. Mkpuma said.
Ebonyi state governor on his part expressed appreciation to the president for supporting developmental projects in the state, especially in agriculture and said that irrespective of some perceptions, the southeast has benefited from federal government projects.
He said, “We have also benefited very much from your agricultural programme and we have a comparative advantage in agriculture and solid minerals and we are grateful for the support in this area from you.
“Our people may be complaining about appointments but I keep saying that you are a listening president and you are still coming. The relation with the state and the way you have taken me as your son, we are grateful.”
President Buhari, on his part, commended the governor for infrastructural development in the state.
He promised that monies spent on the completion of the federal projects will be refunded after the review committee would have audited the projects.
The President also noted that his administration’s investment in agriculture was a deliberate policy, recalling that the First Republic was good in agriculture because the land was abundant and grazing routes developed.
“But subsequently, we got drunk with oil money and abandoned what kept us intact. But we are going back to that (agriculture).”
President Buhari is in Ebonyi State in continuation of his campaign tours across the country ahead the 2019 election.