ANAMBRA 2023: SOLUDO SUSPENDS IGWE NENI FOR CONFERRING CHIEFTAINCY TITLE ON SEN. IFEANYI UBAH

Awka – As politics for Anambra 2025 Governorship election gathers momentum, the Anambra State Government has wielded the big stick on HRH Igwe Damian O. Ezeani, the traditional ruler of Neni Community in Anaocha Local Government Area.

The monarch was suspended for allegedly breaching the Code of Conduct for Traditional Rulers in the state by conferring a chieftaincy title on Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, an APC Governorship hopeful in the state.

The suspension came few hours after the traditional ruler conferred a chieftaincy title to  Senator Ifeanyi Ubah who recently joined the All Progressives Congress in preparation to challenge governor Soludo in the upcoming election.

The decision was announced by the State Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Community Affairs, Mr. Tony Collins Nwabunwanne.

The traditional ruler is reported to have conferred a chieftaincy title upon Senator Ifeanyi Ubah without adhering to the established Code of Conduct for Traditional Rulers in Anambra (issued by the traditional rulers) which mandates obtaining permission from the traditional ruler of the recipient’s community and clearance from the ministry.

”This regulation aims to prevent the misuse of such titles and to ensure the dignity of the traditional institutions is maintained,” he added

The commissioner further stated that it has been observed that a minority of traditional rulers have engaged in the practice of trading chieftaincy titles for monetary gains, an act that has brought embarrassment and disrepute to the esteemed traditional institution.

The letter of suspension reads:

The Code of Conduct for Traditional Rulers in Anambra (issued by the traditional rulers) provides that no traditional ruler can confer Chieftaincy title on anyone from outside his domain (his community) without obtaining the permission of the traditional ruler of the recipient’s community. Furthermore, in the interest of security, order and good governance of the State, the State Government has equally in addition to the Code of Conduct issued a directive through this Ministry to the effect that no such chieftaincy title should be conferred by a traditional ruler on a recipient outside his town/community without obtaining clearance from the Ministry. Among other reasons, this regulation is to curtail observed abuses including a growing trend whereby a minority of traditional rulers have demonstrated a penchant for trading Chieftaincy titles for money thereby bringing the traditional institution to ridicule and disrepute.

A vast majority of traditional rulers conduct their exalted office with dignity and integrity and stick to the Code of Conduct and directives of the Ministry. However, a tiny few still act recklessly and in total disregard for the Code of Conduct of their office and directives of the supervising Ministry. For example, a few days ago, a former traditional ruler deposed by a Court of law went ahead to confer phantom Chieftaincy titles on 40 individuals in one day (some with questionable characters). This brazen disregard for law and order as well as directives by lawful authorities cannot be tolerated inthe new Anambra of today.

We have received confirmed reports that you, as traditional ruler of Neni,conferred such a phantom Chieftaincy title today on one Senator IfeanyiUbah in violation of the Code of Conduct and without clearance from the Ministry. Whether or not your action was for pecuniary reasons as being insinuated in many quarters is irrelevant. What is important is that your action is an affront to order and good governance.

In the light of the above, and for order and good governance, I am directedto inform you that Mr. Governor has in the exercise of his powers under Section 2 (C) of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers (Amendment) Law,2020, suspended your recognition as Traditional Ruler of Neni untill further notice.

You are also by this letter, required to show cause why your Certificate of Recognition should not be withdrawn in line with the Traditional Rulers Law.In the meantime, you are advised in your own interest, to stop parading yourself forthwith, as the traditional ruler of Neni community.

Please accept the assurances of my regards.

Hon. Tony Collins Nwabunwanne

Mr.Commissioner,

Ministry of Local Government Chieftaincy and Community Affairs