Igbo traditional rulers confer chieftaincy title on President Buhari

In 2014 when then Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Muhammadu Buhari came to Abia State for his campaign, the traditional leadership of the state allegedly opposed the conferment of a chieftaincy title on him by the Enyi I of Aba, Imperial Majesty Eze Isaac Ikonne.

However, the revered Abia monarch and also a onetime chairman of the Abia State Traditional Rulers’ Council, defiantly honoured Buhari with the chieftaincy title of “Ogbuagu I of Igboland”.

About four years later, over sixty traditional rulers from Umunneochi/Isiukwuato federal constituency, Bende Local Government Area of the State in appreciation to what Mr. President have been able to achieve since assuming leadership have unanimously honoured him with the traditional title of “Ikeogu Ndi Igbo” (one who fights for Ndi Igbo).

Speaking on behalf of the traditional rulers, the Logo Iof Amuda Isuochi, Eze Okechukwu Chukwuji who was at the event to mark the official flag off campaign for the reelection of the All Progressives Congress Lawmaker representing Umunneochi/Isiukwuato federal constituency, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejiocha stated that the traditional rulers’ decision to honour Buhar with a chieftaincy title was based on the good works that the President have done since assuming office in 2015.

“Our presence here is to show the APC family that we are supporting her. We are going to give you our support. Based on the good job of Mr. President; Muhammadu Buhari, we the committee of traditional rulers in Isiukwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency decided that we should honour him because of the great jobs that he has been doing.

“In every society, everyone must not agree with you. We honoured him with the traditional title of Ikeogu Ndi Igbo because Mr. President is a brand and we are supporting him,” said Chukwuji

The Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje who received the chieftaincy title on behalf of the President thanked the traditional ruler for such an honour

President Buhari loves Nigeria more than he loves himself. There is no doubt about it. The president of Nigeria is always telling us that we should take advantage of our diversity. Every ethnic group has its comparative advantages in terms of nature, achievements.

“Everybody knows that the people of the southeast geopolitical zone are very hardworking people. That is why they are succeeding in cohabiting peacefully with other members of the country. Your people have gone high in terms of entrepreneurship. We should take advantage of that. So, President Buhari is happy with the chieftaincy title and I will convey it to him and we appreciate what you have done.

“I want to seize this opportunity to thank the paramount ruler and chairman council of chiefs Abia State for giving me the Agu n’eche mba I of Igboland. I was at his palace and I received the title which was in appreciation to the role that I played especially during the quit notice given to Igbos living in the Northern Nigeria by the Arewa Youths.

“There is nothing like non-indigene in Kano State. Everybody is an indigene. We are build social services in Igbo community and whatever that you think that can bring development.

“We have seen a number of infrastructures created and implemented by the federal government. I think that this is a good development. Mr. President is faced a lot of service and concerned especially pertaining to your roads, in the southeastern geopolitical zone. That is why he has committed a lot of funds even the budget can talk about it.

“And on our way here, we see the road construction that is going on. So we are not surprised, all the state that we have visited, there is political revolution. People are coming into APC. So we believe that this time around, you (Igbos) will be integrated into the national politics. The issue of being onlookers will be a thing of the past.

“I think that the strong politicians from this zone who are now in APC will make you proud. We know that it is already done. Mr. Buhari is not only looking for 25percent, he is looking for more than 50percent of your votes.”

The Governor of Kano State came in the company of Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Godswill Akpabio, SouthEast National Vice Chairman, Emma Enukwu, former National vice chairman southeast and APC 2015 governorship flag bearer, Chief Nyerere Anyim, APC national woman leader and among other members of the party.