Lagos — A prominent Abia politician, Chief Onyekachi Onyekwere, has praised the recent decision to restrict traditional rulers and council chairmen to their domain during the Christmas celebrations.

Speaking in Lagos over the Weekend, Onyekwere a member of Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) said the directive justified his earlier call on the governor to engage council chairmen and traditional rulers in the security affairs of the state.

Last week, the state government assured that it had taken adequate measures to keep armed robbers and kidnappers at bay during the Christmas and New Year celebrations so that those returning home for the festive season would feel secured.

The governor, Chief Theodore Orji, had banned all council chairmen and traditional rulers from leaving their domains during the festive period, saying they must stay and work in concert with security agencies.

According to him, the safety of their subjects should be placed above personal comforts hence he warned that the council bosses and traditional rulers would be held responsible for any crime committed in their domain during the period.

Onyekwere stated that he hopes the opposition in the state will not start picking holes in the statement "just like they are wont to when the governor sneezes".

He also commended the governor for providing free transportation for Abia citizens travelling home during the period noting that he did the same last year.

"Though it may be early to predict but it is not out of place if I say that his second tenure is assured come 2011" he said adding that the governor is a shining example in the history of governance in Nigeria.

The politician also assured returning Abians that there was nothing to be afraid of as the people return home to celebrate Christmas.