Anambra monarch suspension: You are  envious of my rising  political profile , Ubah tells Soludo

Maduako Igbokwe I Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024

Soludo had suspended the traditional ruler Neni,HRM Igwe Damian Ezeani for not seeking clearance from ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, before conferring Chieftaincy title on Senator Ifeanyi Ubah and others.

A suspension letter by Anambra State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Tony Collins Nwabunwanne, accused HRM Igwe Damian Ezeani of not seeking clearance from the state government before bestowing titles on people, including ‘persons with questionable character.’

The monarch had, during the Yuletide, conferred on Senator Ubah the title of Odenjinji of Neni, which is similar to the title Soludo also holds in his Isuofia community.

In his reaction, Ubah,in a statement made available to the press via his media office, said: “The entire game is all about politics. Soludo is frustrated by my rising popularity.

“I’m not the only person to receive a chieftaincy title. Former Chief of Army Staff 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.”

Ubah, in October 2023, defected from the Young Progressives Party, YPP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC and  was later received into the party in December, alongside another popular grassroots politician, Senator Uche Ekwunife.

This action set off an alarm about a possible alliance between the two to unseat Soludo in the 2025 governorship election.

This may have sparked some emotions among members of the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, and the state government.

Anambra is one of the states that holds off-season elections. Its governorship election would be due in 2025.