About 30 revered monarchs under the auspices of Delta North Traditional Rulers Forum, representing Delta North Senatorial District of the state, converged in Asaba, the Delta State capital to urge their colleagues and their counterparts in Delta Central and South Senatorial Districts of the need to participate in politics.
The traditional rulers condemned statements that the traditional institutions should not participate in partisan politics.
Members of the Delta North Traditional Rulers Forum, led by the Chairman and Asagba of Asaba, Obi (Prof.) Chike Edozien, who has played, and continue to play important role as a symbol of unity in the state, while commending the former minister of State for education and members of his entourage for the high level of discipline, during a courtesy visit by the SDP Governorship Candidate in his palace on Friday October 28th 2022, said, traditional rulers should be involved in politics to pick the best candidate who would develop the community.
The Asagba of Asaba who was a senior consultant in chemical Pathology at the University College, Ibadan, described Gbagi, FNIM, former Chairman, Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, as a selfless politician with the capacity to deliver Delta State from economic challenges.
The monarch who eulogized the Social Democratic Party, as one of the regional parties created in the country that has survived for so many decades, said: “We have had the privilege of hosting many politicians and political parties here in the palace but this visit is one of a different kind. Anybody outside this room, will not believe that we are hosting politicians.
“Because normally, when we have these crowd of people with their political party candidates, the surroundings will be filled with party supporters and we can’t even hear what they are talking to us about.
“But now you have come with so much discipline and this is the kind of discipline you will bring to governance, congratulations.
“Today, the Anioma traditional rulers are here to receive you and I am very glad that you addressed them on a very important issue. It is a general opinion spreading around that traditional rulers are not politicians and should not be engaged in politics, I don’t understand that.
“It is not part of the statement that since you are not politicians you should not be party members in any political party, it’s clear but that you should have no role in politics, that I don’t understand.
“As traditional rulers, you can’t be ruling people and you have no say in what goes on in the Community. So, the role of traditional rulers in my mind, is not to keep quiet, it’s to support the best candidate that will do things in the community, no matter what party they belong to.
“And that is what I have been preaching to the traditional rulers and if we look back on how the country developed and the role of traditional rulers has always been the development of the country.
“On behalf of the traditional rulers and all the people, I welcome you. We recognize people who have done things for us. We have heard your philosophy and we know that you are thinking in the right direction and that if elected, Delta State will jump forward. So, we wish you well”, the Asagba who was appointed a professor in 1961 and became Dean of the college of Medicine in 1962, added.
Traditional rulers present at the event include HRM Samuel Otiegede, the Obi of Idumo Ogo, HRM Boniface Iganwane, the Obi of Ubulobu Kingdom, HRM Sunday Olisanweokwu, the Obi of Ogodor kingdom, HRM Obi Clement Ejiofor, JP, KSC,the Obi of Ukala Kingdom, HRM David Azuka, the Obi of Akwukwu kingdom, HRM Obi Anthony Ogboli, the Obi of Ejeme-Aniogor, HRM Erenuma II, the Obi of Abavo kingdom.
Other are HRM Ifechukwude Alexander, the Obi of Olodu kingdom, HRM Ekpechi Joshua Ulu, the Obi of Emu kingdom, HRM Ezemah Alioma, the Obi of Otolokpo kingdom, HRM Solomon Chukwuka, the Obi of Ute-Okpu kingdom, HRM Obi Mohanyem, the Obi of Ezi kingdom, HRM Donald Ekarache, the Obi of Umuebu kingdom.
Also present are HRM Obi Offor Emmanuel, the Obi of Adonte kingdom, HRM Obi Ezegbulem Kenneth, the Obi of Nsukwa kingdom, HRM, Obi Onu Paul Ofili, the Obi of Ebu kingdom, HRM Onyemechi Josiah, the Obi of Obomkpa kingdom, HRM, Austine E. Ighayo, HRM Godwin Onyeweuwa, the Obi of Ewulu kingdom, HRM Dr. Engr. R. C. Osanwuta, Obi of Egheone, HRM Obi Fredrick Egbunkonye, the Obi of Abala, HRM Obi Augustine Nzemeke, the Obi of Egbudu-Akah.
Also, in the entourage of the renowned Criminologist, Olorogun Gbagi, OON, was the SDP South-south Vice Chairman, Elder Fred Owhotorofa, the Deputy governorship candidate, Chief Mrs. Rosemary Ishioma Oshilim, who equally doubles as the Deputy Chairman, the State chairman of the party, Ambassador Oke Idawene JP cum Adviser, Gbagi Campaign Council, the Director General of the Campaign Council, Prof. Jiff Mokobia, the Deputy Director General and Director of Research and Policy, Prof. A. Atubi.
Others are Barr. Mrs. Amaka Nwosu, Director of Legal, Mr. George Onyidu, Deputy Director Delta North, Mr. Mike Dugbo, Deputy Director, Delta Central among other members of the Campaign Council, party members and teeming supporters.
