Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has reinstated the suspended traditional ruler of the Neni kingdom and has forgiven two other monarchs after their unauthorised conferment of chieftaincy titles on some affluent personalities in the state.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Christian Aburime, disclosed this in a statement made available to Journalists on Wednesday.
According to him, the traditional ruler of Neni, Igwe Damian Ezeani, was reinstated; those of Ojoto and Aguluezechukwu were forgiven of their infractions following their apologies.
Aburime said the governor forgave the traditional rulers’ trespasses in a meeting attended by no fewer than 94 monarchs. The meeting was held on Tuesday at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia, Awka South Local Government Area of the state.
Aburime said the governor also addressed some of the welfare of the state monarchs.
“The Governor also magnanimously addressed some of their welfare issues. The Governor announced that with the apologies of the affected Traditional Rulers, the State government accepts their apologies, and subsequently reinstates the Traditional Ruler of Neni, and forgives the Traditional Rulers of Ojoto and Aguluezechukwu.
“Mr Governor further clarified the legal status of the Igwe Nawfia as advised by his legal team.
“As part of the vote of thanks, both the Obi of Onitsha and Igwe Ojoto passed the votes of thanks and requested regular meetings with Mr. Governor which Mr. Governor graciously accepted to hold at least twice a year,” Aburime said.
Earlier in his opening remark, Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, who had accused the governor of not showing the desired respect to monarchs, reaffirmed the unalloyed solidarity and support of the traditional rulers to the government.
He reassured the government that the Traditional Rulers stand ready to partner with the government in all its efforts to transform Anambra into a livable and prosperous homeland.
The Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Community Affairs, Hon. Tonycollins Nwabunwanne, assured the traditional rulers that the government holds them in high esteem, and looks forward to continuing working with them closely.
He also clarified some of the issues leading to the suspension of a Traditional Ruler and query of two others, assuring them that this was all in the spirit of ensuring law and order in the State.
He also highlighted the concerns of some Traditional Rulers over the composition of members of the Traditional Rulers Council. He stated that such concerns and similar issues are being looked into by the government.
On his part, Governor Soludo reiterated that the purpose of the meeting was to focus on the partnership of all stakeholders towards the execution of the Solution agenda for 2024.
He solicited the cooperation of the monarchs as stakeholders under the Public-Private Community Partnership (PPCP), a strategy for his administration’s rapid development of the State.
