Jonathan pledges partnership with traditional rulers

President Goodluck Jonathan said he would continue to show love for and partner with traditional rulers to improve the living conditions of the rural populace if re-elected.

The president made the promise when he paid a courtesy visit to the chairman of the Traditional Rulers Council of Ebonyi, Eze Agom-Eze in Abakaliki on Friday.

He acknowledged the role of traditional rulers as custodians of culture and tradition and strategic partners in the transformation agenda of his administration.

“I have always had interest in the role of royal fathers in moving the country forward.

“If given the second term, I will continue to show my love for traditional rulers and partner with them to improve the living conditions of the rural populace’’, he said.

The president urged them to support his administration to provide the much desired development in all sectors of the economy.

Adamu Muazu, the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said, “The party has great respect for the royal fathers and solicited their prayers and support.”

Agom-Eze described the president’s visit as home coming and said that the traditional rulers had endorsed him for second term.

Governor Martin Elechi of Ebonyi assured the president of the bloc votes of Ebonyi people come February 14 just as it did in 2011. (NAN)