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Onwuamaeze Damian and the traditional ruler of Ojoto in Idemili South Local Government Area, Igwe Gerald Mbamalu, have withdrawn the chieftaincy titles they conferred on the Senator representing Anambra South, Ifeanyi Ubah.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by Christian Aburime, the Press Secretary to the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, on Tuesday.
The three monarchs had conferred various chieftaincy titles on Ubah during their respective Ofala and cultural festivals last December.
Ubah, who recently defected to the All Progressives Congress, is said to be interested in contesting the 2025 governorship election in the state.
The Anambra State government had through the state Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, earlier suspended the traditional ruler of Neni Kingdom, Igwe Damian Ezeani, following his conferment of the chieftaincy title on the Senator.
In his suspension letter signed by the state Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Mr Tonycollins Nwabunwanne, and dated January 8, 2024, Ezeani was said to have violated the code of conduct for traditional rulers.
According to Aburime, the action by the three traditional rulers was in direct contravention of the State Traditional Rulers’ code.
The statement read, “It has come to the attention of Anambra State Government that Igwe F.E. Ebelendu of Aguluezechukwu in Aguata Local government Area, Igwe Onwuamaeze Damian Ezeani of Neni in Anaocha Local government area and Igwe Gerald Obunadike Mbamalu of Ojoto in Idemili South Local Government Area have respectively apologised to Anambra State Government and withdrawn and cancelled the phantom chieftaincy titles conferred on Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, as it contravenes the State Traditional Rulers’ law.
“This action by the three traditional rulers was in direct contravention of the State Traditional Rulers’ code, which outlines the rules and regulations regarding the granting and revocation of chieftaincy titles.
“Consequently, the titles of Ikemba Ojoto, Odenjiinji Neni and Dike Eji Eje Ogu earlier bestowed on Senator Ifeanyi Ubah have been withdrawn and cancelled by the three Igwes.
“This was contained in their respective letters of apology to the state government which also confirmed the withdrawal and cancellation of the chieftaincy titles which they variously described as nullity.
“However, it is instructive to note that traditional rulers are kindly advised to adhere strictly to the State Traditional laws and avoid any untoward actions that could contravene the provisions of the law.”
Ubah, had earlier slammed the state government for suspending the transitional ruler of Neni, who during the Yuletide, conferred on him the title of ‘Odenjinji’ of Neni, which is similar to the title the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, also holds in his Isuofia community.
The senator, in a statement, said, “The entire game is all about politics. Soludo is frustrated by my rising popularity.
“I am not the only person that received a chieftaincy title. Former Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, was honoured within the same period; Vice President Kashim Shettima was also honoured; Mr President was honoured in absentia. Why is my own different?
“The governor is frustrated by my acceptance and popularity; he is jittery about the next governorship election, but I leave him to his conscience.”