Igwe F.E. Ebelendu, traditional ruler of Aguluezechukwu in Aguata Local Government Area; Igwe Onwuamaeze Damian, traditional ruler of Neni in Anaocha Local Government Area; and Igwe Gerald Mbamalu, traditional ruler of Ojoto in Idemili South Local Government Area, have withdrawn the chieftaincy titles bestowed on Senator Ifeanyi Ubah of Anambra South.
Christian Aburime, the state governor’s Press Secretary, stated this in a statement made on Tuesday.
Last December, the three monarchs conferred various chieftaincy titles on Ubah at their respective Ofala and cultural festivals.
Ubah, who recently defected to the All Progressives Congress, is reportedly interested in running for governor of the state in 2025.
The Anambra State government, through the state Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Community Affairs, had already suspended Igwe Damian Ezeani, the traditional ruler of Neni Kingdom, following his conferment of the chieftaincy title on Senator.
In his suspension letter, written by the state Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Community Affairs, Mr Tonycollins Nwabunwanne and dated January 8, 2024, Ezeani was accused of violating the code of conduct for traditional rulers.
According to Aburime, the three traditional rulers’ actions were a blatant violation 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Mbamalu of Ojoto in Idemili South Local Government Area have respectively apologised to Anambra State Government and withdrawn and cancelled the phantom chieftaincy titles conferred on Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, as it contravenes the State Traditional Rulers’ law.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the titles of Ikemba Ojoto, Odenjiinji Neni and Dike Eji Eje Ogu earlier bestowed on Senator Ifeanyi Ubah have been withdrawn and cancelled by the three Igwes.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.”
Unah had previously lambasted the state government for suspending Neni’s transitional ruler, who conferred on him the title of ‘Odenjinji’ of Neni at the Yuletide, which is comparable to the title held by the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, in his Isuofia community.
According to the senator’s remarks, “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.”
