‘You went too far,’ Obi of Onitsha knocks Anambra for suspending monarch… 

The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, has faulted the Anambra State Government’s approach to sanctioning traditional rulers in the state for granting chieftaincy titles to certain individuals.

Achebe particularly expressed anger over the suspension of the traditional ruler of Neni in Anaocha Local Government Area of the state, lgwe Damian O. Ezeani, who recently conferred a chieftaincy title on the Senator representing Anambra South, Ifeanyi Ubah.

Anambra State Government had last week, through the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Tony Nwabunwanne, suspended the traditional ruler of Neni.

Reacting to the suspension,  Achebe, who is the Chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, in a press statement on Wednesday, said the state government should respect the traditional institution.

In the 14-point letter, Achebe bemoaned the dimension that was taken by the state government in the suspension of Ezeani.

Achebe detailed concerns about the selective application of the Code of Conduct for traditional rulers, the delayed presentation of key documents, and perceived disrespect towards the traditional institution, alleging a progressive dehumanisation of the traditional rulers by the current administration.

“Distinguished Senator Ifeanyi Ubah is not an unknown entity in Anambra State or Nigeria, including to the present administration. Thus, the suspension of lgwe Neni and the threat to withdraw his Certificate of Recognition for apparently violating the Code of Conduct by giving him a chieftaincy title was extreme in comparison with other recent cases,” he added.

Meanwhile, the traditional ruler of Aguluezechukwu in Aguata Local Government Area, Igwe F.E. Ebelendu; traditional ruler of Neni in Anaocha Local Government Area, Igwe Onwuamaeze Damian and the traditional ruler of Ojoto in Idemili South Local Government Area, Igwe Gerald Mbamalu, have withdrawn the chieftaincy titles they conferred on Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.