Guardian

EMINENT Royal Fathers in Enugu State have called for restraint following recent developments over the absence of Governor Sullivan Iheanacho Chime, insisting that only peace would guarantee the continued transformation of the state by the incumbent government.

They made the call in the face of a recent pronouncement by a group known as Save Enugu Group which threatened to disrupt the pervading peace if the governor failed to return to the state within a stipulated time.

Igwe Osisi Itodo, one of the renowned traditional rulers in the state, expressed dismay at the ultimatum, saying that there was absolutely no need for such call.

“As elders, we cannot fold our arms while some of our sons threaten to cause any breach of peace. Governor Chime has done so well that any genuine indigene of Enugu State can do is to support him. We appeal to these our sons (in the Save Enugu Group) to embrace peace. We may all have our different views on many issues and even on the absence of our governor,” he said.

Itodo added: “But it will be bad if we give any impression that there is trouble in our state because there is none. We know that the governor will soon return to his desk.”

Speaking in the same vein, Igwe Spencer Ugwoke of Obimo in Nsukka Local Government Area called on the group and other such ones to “sheathe their swords and embrace peace as there’s nothing unusual to warrant such a proposition.”

He noted: “My appeal is that no matter our political leanings, let us come together and help the administration to continue to deliver democracy dividends. As traditional rulers, we don’t play politics but we have the duty to advise our people when they tend to take the wrong steps.”

Igwe Greg Ugwu of Attakwu in Nkanu West Council added his voice thus: “It will do nobody any good if we create tension in our state. With what this man (Chime) has done in Enugu State, every well-meaning citizen, no matter the issue, must support him.