Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State has reacted to the suspension of the traditional ruler of Neni, HRH Damian Onwuamaeze Ezeani, by the Soludo administration for conferring a chieftaincy title on Senator representing Anambra South, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.
The party has described the action of the state governent as an attempt to muscle the traditional institutions and drag it into the murky waters of Anambra politics.
The Zonal Publicity Secretary for Anambra APC Central, Igboeli Arinze Napoleon, in a statement said the suspension of Igwe Ezeani is akin to disrespecting the revered traditional institutions in the state, adding that the governor is hiding under the State Traditional Law to haunt traditional rulers in the state.
According to him, such move will not augur well for the peace and development of the state.
“We had the misfortune of witnessing yet again attempts by the Anambra State Government to unnecessarily dabble into the affairs of our revered traditional institutions following the suspension of the paramount ruler of Neni, HRH Damian Onwuamaeze Ezeani, owing to the fact that he conferred a chieftaincy title on one of our own, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.
“Hiding under the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Law, Section 2 (C) by the Soludo administration to suspend the cultural custodian of Neni smacks of an attempt to witch-hunt Igwe Ezeani simply because he conferred a title on Senator Ubah whose influence on the non-performing administration led by our governor seems to be growing wary of by the day.
“Let us ask, is Igwe Ezeani the first to have conferred a title on someone who isn’t from his community without the opprobrious demand for clearance by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs? Or has the government woken up from its deep slumber because this time around the title was conferred on Senator Ubah?
“Let us even note that the content of Section 2 (C) of that law is repugnant and should not be something an administration with lots of work to do in terms of unemployment, bad and poor infrastructure and most notably the security of lives and property should bother itself about.
“Such is only bound to muscle our traditional institutions and drag them into the murky waters of politics. Tell me why should a government demand that it clears the recipients for such titles; the government may as well hijack the process and confer such titles on behalf of these communities with the traditional rulers now serving as yes-boys!
“The APC Anambra Central is thus calling on Governor Soludo to stop this assault on our traditional institutions by repudiating the suspension of Igwe Neni as well as reinstating him to the throne of his fathers.”
