Traditional rulers from Anambra State have denied endorsing the presidential candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, contrary to speculations.
The traditional rulers are from Idemili North and South local government areas.
The monarchs said that what they did was to attend a meeting called by one of their illustrious sons, Dr Obiora Okonkwo, and nothing more.
Their denial was contained in a statement on Monday by the chairman of their forum, Igwe Chuma Agbala, and the vice-chairman, Igwe Nick Obi, in Awka
They said the trending report that the traditional rulers endorsed Atiku during their quarterly meeting is a blatant lie.
According to the monarchs, one of their illustrious sons, Chief Obiora Okonkwo, visited them during the said meeting in Ogidi and informed them of his new position in the PDP and nothing more.
The monarchs expressed surprise that some persons twisted the account of what happened at the meeting for reasons best known to them.
They said they were embarrassed by the ugly development.
The statement reads: “The publication or information circulating in the news media of the purported endorsement of a PDP Presidential candidate is not true.
“The fact is that the Idemili North and South Traditional Rulers Forum held its quarterly meeting at the Idemili North Local Government Headquarters, Ogidi where Chief Obiora Okonkwo came and said that he was appointed as one of the PDP Anambra State coordinators.
“That was it, and there was nothing like the endorsement of any political party or her flag bearer.
“We, the traditional Rulers of Idemili North and South, do not indulge in partisan politics and as such would not dump or endorse or move to endorse any political party’s candidate. We are royal fathers and hence are fathers to all.”