By Kamsi Anayo
Traditional rulers from Idemili North and Idemili South local government areas of Anambra state have denied their reported endorsement of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar for the 2023 election.
In a statement issued on Monday by the chairman of the forum of the royal fathers, Igwe Chuma Agbala, and the vice-chairman, Igwe Nick Obi, the traditional rulers said the trending report was a misrepresentation of what happened during their quarterly meeting at Ogidi.
According to them, what happened was that one of their illustrious sons, Dr. Obiora Okonkwo, visited them during the said meeting and informed them of his new position in his party, the PDP, as the presidential campaign coordinator and nothing more.
The monarchs said they were surprised that some people twisted the account of what happened at the meeting for reasons best known to them; adding that they were totally embarrassed by that ugly development.
Their statement reads, “The publication or information circulating in the news media of the purported endorsement of the PDP presidential candidate is not true.
“The fact is that the Idemili North and South Traditional Rulers Forum held its quarterly meeting at the Idemili North local government headquarters, Ogidi where Chief Obiora Okonkwo came and said that he was appointed as one of the PDP Anambra State coordinator.
“That was it, and there was nothing like the endorsement of any political party or its flag bearer.
“We, the traditional rulers of Idemili North and South, do not indulge in partisan politics and as such would not endorse or move to endorse any political party’s candidate. We are royal fathers and hence are fathers to all.”