Traditional rulers from the South-East have again called for peace, security and unity in the region.
The monarchs made the call during their meeting held in Umuahia, Abia State capital on Tuesday.
The meeting, which was attended by the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe and top traditional rulers from the South East, was also used to deliberate on matters affecting the region and the way forward.
The monarchs observed that peace, development and unity were important in accelerating development in the South East and bemoaned the level of insecurity in the zone.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of Imo State council of Ndi Eze, Eze E.C. Okeke and his Abia State counterpart, Eze Linus Nto Mba commended Abia State Governor, Alex Otti for the peace and development policies his administration had initiated and for the cordial relationship between the executive arm of government and the traditional institution in Abia.
In his speech, Governor Alex Otti expressed worries at the rate of civil unrest in communities as a result of disagreement in the selection process of their traditional rulers.
Otti, who warned that a traditional ruler should not be imposed on the people because of his financial advantage over others, said due process must be followed before a monarch ascends a throne.
He reminded them of the pivotal role traditional institutions play in democracy