Monarch to aggrieved politicians: Emulate Jonathan on defeat

The paramount ruler of Igbo Ukwu kingdom in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, Igwe Martin Ezeh, has urged politicians, who contested and lost at the just concluded general elections to accept defeat like President Goodluck Jonathan in order to promote peace and reconciliation across the country.

According to the monarch, prolonged agitation and taking election cases to tribunal will only encourage bitterness and rancour, which would not do the nation any good. He noted that even though President Jonathan had the right to reject the election result, he chose the path of peace by conceding defeat and humbly congratulated Gen Muhammadu Buhari. “This measure reduced the tension in the land and curbed post-election violence that would have claimed many lives,” he said.

Speaking on re-run elections in Imo, Taraba and Abia states, Igwe Eze appealed for calm and maturity on the part of the electorate and urged INEC staff to be upright and ensure free and fair elections in the affected states.

The royal father described the late Senator Uche Chukumerije, as an illustrious Igbo man, who dedicated his life to service to humanity and prayed that God would give the family the fortitude to bear the loss.

Igwe Eze called on the in- coming government of General Muhammadu Buhari to tackle problems of poverty and unemployment in the country, reasoning that, “If our youths are gainfully employed, the temptation to travel out of Nigeria to do menial job for survive would be reduced.”

Condemning the xenophobic attack on immigrants in South Africa, Igwe Ezeh described the situation as disturbing, saying that it was unfortunate that after decades of struggle by African countries to liberate South Africa from the iron grip of apartheid, the African National Congress (ANC)- ruled country could savagely attack fellow Africans, killing and looting their shops.

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