Guber Election: Paramount Ruler denies endorsement of Governorship candidate
The Paramount Ruler of Koluama Kingdom in Southern Ijaw Local Government, Bayelsa, HRM King Solomon Edi-Mangi, Kolu XI, has denied endorsing any political candidate for Nov. 11 governorship poll in the state.
Edi-Mangi, Ibenanawei of Koluama, who said this in a statement on Saturday in Yenegoa, said that he was a father to all and had no anointed candidate for the governorship election.
The traditional ruler dismissed reports that he endorsed the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Candidate (APC) who visited his palace during campaign.
He said that as the custodian of culture and traditions of Koluama, he had consistently maintained a position of neutrality when it comes to politics.
Edi-Mangi, who was reacting to claims made by some political gladiators that the visit of the APC candidate amounted to an endorsement, said he had never endorsed any political candidate.
He said that he believed that it was his sacred duty to ensure that the cultural heritage and values of the people of Koluama were preserved.
The paramount ruler maintained that he had never let political affiliations interfered with his responsibilities.
He explained that the purported endorsement circulating on social media was nothing more than a figment of imagination of partisan political gladiators and should be disregarded.
He insisted that he was a firm advocate of peace and unity in Bayelsa and called on all political actors and their followers to embrace peace.
The royal father urged them to shun violence as they work together to build a progressive Bayelsa State.
He further emphasized the importance of peaceful co-existence and unity among the people of Bayelsa.
“We should put aside our differences and come together for the greater good of our state.
“Violence and division only hinder our progress. Let us focus on the issues that truly matter, the development and prosperity of Bayelsa.” Edi-Mangi said.
The traditional ruler reitrated his firm commitment to his role as a symbol of unity and culture and called on everyone to stand together in the spirit of peace and progress.
“Bayelsa State’s future is bright, and together, we can achieve great things for our beloved state,” he stated. (NAN)
