Thirty traditional rulers in Anambra North Senatorial District of Anambra State have distanced themselves from the alleged endorsement of the PDP candidate for the November 16 governorship poll, Mr. Tony Nwoye.

The royal fathers, who spoke at their monthly meeting at the weekend in Onitsha South Local Government Area, distanced themselves from a newspaper report claiming that leaders of the zone had dumped the APGA candidate, Chief Willie Obiano, for Nwoye, whose campaign is yet to formally start. They dismissed the report as a blatant lie, purposely fabricated to mislead vulnerable members of the public.

Speaking through their Chairman, Igwe Rowland Odegbo, Igwe Aborgu II na Nteje, the royal fathers said: “We did not endorse Tony Nwoye. I repeat; we did not endorse Tony Nwoye. We did not abandon Obiano for Nwoye. The two candidates are our sons. They have both come to tell us that they are running for the governorship election and we have blessed both of them. Obiano was the first to approach us and we blessed him and prayed for him.”

Igwe Aborgu II further noted that the royal fathers were still evaluating the two candidates to know who they would endorse for the coming election. “We will make our position known very soon,” he explained.

When reminded that the Igwe of Ogbunike, Igwe John Umenyiora, had expressed reservations in the same report about Governor Peter Obi’s agreement with the royal fathers on the issue of his successor, Igwe Aborgu II swept the comment aside.

“Igwe Umenyiora does not speak of Anambra North Traditional Rulers Council of which I am the Chairman. He spoke for himself,” Igwe Aborgu II replied pointing out that as traditional rulers, his group does not make flippant comments in the media.

•Photo shows PDP guber candidate, Tony Nwoye.