The South-East Council of Traditional Rulers has implored its subjects and all South-East residents to disregard any sit-at-home order and vote in large numbers for their preferred candidates.
This was stated in a communiqué released on Friday at the conclusion of the first 2023 Executive Committee Meeting of the South-East Council of Traditional Rulers (SECTR) at the Old Eastern Nigeria House of Chiefs in Enugu.
The meeting deliberated on the role of traditional institutions in ensuring peace and security in the South-East, particularly in the run-up to the General Elections, according to the communiqué, and made a number of decisions.
“First, the Royal Fathers called on the people of the South-East to go out en masse to vote for their preferred candidates during the elections and to ignore any order for sit-at-home.
“Second, the Council appealed to the security agencies to create a conducive and safe environment for the General Elections; while calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to act professionally and patriotically.
“Third, the killings and destruction of property in South Eastern Region and across the country are condemned in strong terms by the Council.
“Fourth, the Council called on all Traditional Rulers to take control of their various domains during the upcoming elections for peaceful, free and credible elections to take place,” it said.
The communiqué was signed by Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu, Chairman, South-East Council of Traditional Rulers and Chairman of Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers as well as Igwe Alfred Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha and Chairman of Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers.
It was also signed by Eze Joseph Nwabeke, the Ezeamara of Eziama Ntigha, and Chairman, Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers.
The meeting was attended by the revered Royal Fathers and other members of the Executive Committee of the Council.
