Imo traditional rulers set to reform the institution

Traditional rulers in Imo State are set to reform and reposition the traditional institution in the state with the emergence of a new chairman.

The reform is to make the institution more formidable.

His Royal Highness, Eze (Dr) Oliver Ohanwe, the Obi Gburugburu of Ihim Autonomous Community in Isiala Mbanu Local Government area, disclosed this at a press briefing in his palace on Tuesday.

The traditional rulers in Imo will, for the first time in the history of Eastern Nigeria, elect a chairman to oversee the affairs of other traditional rulers in the state.

The selection of the chairman in the past had always been by the state government

Eze Ohanwe from Okigwe Zone said he would contest with the incumbent Chairman, Eze Samuel Ohiri of Orodo Community in Ikeduru Local Government of Imo from Owerri Zone, who has served five-year tenure at one time or the other.

Ohanwe said that Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo, in his wisdom and backed by the law of the state, came up with the idea of the traditional rulers electing their chairman as against appointment in the past years.

Ohanwe said he believed that traditional rulers in the state would be entering a new dispensation that would bring reform and transform the traditional institution.

“The chairmanship of traditional rulers in Imo has been by appointment by the state government, but now the governor has decided that the status quo be changed.

“Traditional rulership is an institution with integrity. The election is the first of its kind and the traditional rulers are set for it on Monday, Jan. 8.,” he said.

The traditional ruler commended Okorocha for his developmental strides in the state and pledged, on behalf of his colleagues, to abide by the dictates of the law and customs of the communities for a peaceful election.

He promised, as custodian of culture and traditions of the land, to protect the integrity of the traditional institution and ensure that traditional rulers lived up to expectations.

“No traditional ruler will be treated with disrespect. If elected I will ensure they receive their full allowance and medical services, moreover, we will ensure that the Igbo culture and tradition is upheld,” he said.

Ohanwe said the new crop of traditional rulers that would emerge would ensure synergy and peace among the traditional rulers in the various communities and encourage the youths to be self-employed.

The traditional ruler also promised to protect the legacies of the outgoing chairman and ensure the traditional rulers lead by the truth.