Kaduna State Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero this morning stopped a meeting between Southern Kaduna top traditional rulers and in-coming Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in the state.

The Director General of Kaduna State APC Campaign Council, Mr. Ben Kure, disclosed this in a statement sent to newsmen in Kaduna.

Osibanjo was in Kafanchan to meet critical stakeholders in the area that includes traditional rulers, Christian leaders, academics, youth and women leaders ahead of Saturday's governorship election.

The over 20 traditional rulers drawn from eight local government areas were on their way to palace of Chief of Kagoro, venue of the meeting, when they received the governor’s instruction, according to APC.

Some chiefs were already in the vicinity when they received signals warning them against meeting with Osinbajo.

Kure said: “The programme was to first meet traditional rulers before church leaders, and we have notified them and they were ready to receive our in-coming Vice President. The meeting was to pay homage and intimate them of what the in-coming Muhammadu Buhari’s government have in stock for Nigerians irrespective religion, ethnicity, region or political interests.

“To our surprise, we received a message that the governor has stopped the meeting and cautioned them to return to their domains. The monarchs complied with the warning, aborted the meeting and proceeded to their palaces.

“The same governor three weeks back stopped the President-elect from holding a campaign at Murtala Square Kaduna. And he is now trying to embarrass his Vice President.

“Are the people of Kaduna state and their traditional rulers slaves of the governor? It is quite unfortunate that Kaduna state is now under an individual who is above the law and ruling with impunity.

“He should know that the people of Kaduna state are free people with the right of free association and choice. He will not force people to vote for him, it is a democracy and the voice of the people must be heard.”

•Photo shows Governor Yero.