The Speaker of Ebonyi House of Assembly, Chief Francis Nwifuru, has pledged to promote traditional institution, if elected governor in 2023.
Nwifuru, who is vying for the position on the platform of All Progressives Congress, made the pledge on Monday in Abakaliki.
He spoke while presenting his nomination form to traditional rulers in the state and seeking their blessings toward his pursuit.
The speaker said that he would improve on Gov. David Umahi’s efforts in enhancing the wellbeing of traditional rulers in Ebonyi.
He noted that the traditional institution was revered.
“I will give a face-lift to the palaces of traditional rulers in the state and offer them befitting places of abode.
“It is the duty of the government to adequately cater for traditional rulers due to their pivotal roles in ensuring peace, harmony and development.
“It is the government that presents them with staff of office and, therefore, should not fail in its duties to royal fathers,” the speaker said.
He said that traditional rulers ought to command total respect from their subjects to effectively discharge their duties.
Nwifuru also pledged to empower traditional rulers to be self-sustaining to earn more respect.
“Kings were revered in the Bible which shows that they are not ordinary people.
“Lack of respect for traditional rulers accounts for some of the challenges confronting the Igbo race as they are even being violently attacked,” he said.
He pledged to improve on Umahi’s legacies on infrastructure development and youth empowerment, among others.
“I seek your blessings to achieve my aspiration having been unanimously endorsed by leaders and stakeholders of the party in the state,” he said.
The Chairman of Ebonyi Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Charles Mkpuma, praised Nwifuru for his aspiration, and offered blessings toward it.
Mkpuma, also the Chairman of South East Traditional Rulers Council, said that Nwifuru had followed Umahi’s footsteps in giving due regard to traditional rulers.
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The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nwifuru was recently endorsed by Umahi as his preferred successor. (NAN)