Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has disclosed that the peace and development achieved in the state was as a result of the cordial relationship that existed between his administration and traditional rulers.

Speaking when the Chairman and members of the state Traditional Rulers Council led by its Chairman, Atwuase II, Olu of Warri paid him a farewell visit yesterday in Asaba, Governor Uduaghan said that his administration had great respect for the traditional institution and accorded them the needed recognition because they are agents of peace and development.

Dr Uduaghan commended traditional rulers in the state for the support they gave to his administration stating: “l sincerely appreciate this visit and gifts, my administration has had a good relationship with you throughout my tenure, even when l had challenges in governance, you were all there for me.

“There was no time that my government sanctioned any traditional ruler because l know that you are all men of integrity, that is why l gave the institution the needed recognition, a traditional ruler can only be sanctioned if he commits any criminal offence otherwise l believe that if any traditional ruler commit any other offence, he should be able to correct himself or his colleagues can correct him. l have had no cause to sanction any traditional ruler in the state.”

The governor said he had maintained peace with royal fathers in the state and would be free to call on any of them when he leaves office if the need arose without any fear and appealed to them to give the governor elect the same support they gave him.

Explaining further, he stated that the Governor elect, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, also has respect and regard for the traditional institution and expressed hope that he will accord the institution the needed recognition adding: “We need your support for peace and development to continue to reign in Delta State.”

Earlier, the Vice Chairman of the state Traditional Council and the Obi of Owa, HRM Obi Efezomor 11, in an address commended Governor Uduaghan for recognizing traditional institution and gave them the opportunity to contribute their quota in the development of the state.

“We appreciate you for being there for us in the past 8 years of your administration, for the cordial relationship and we promise to give the in-coming administration the needed support to continue to contribute our quota to maintaining peace and development in the state.”

•Photo shows Uduaghan