Furious Obiano draws battle line, suspends 12 traditional rulers in Anambra

ONITSHA, Anambra, Nigeria – Governor of Anambra state Willie Obiano  has drawn the battle line with oil magnet Arthur Eze and 12 traditional rulers, following their visit to Presidential Villa.

Obiano saw the visit as offensive today suspended all 12 traditional rulers that made the trip for one year and barring them from further parading themselves  as  traditional rulers.

Recall that last month Obiano had suspended the traditional ruler of Ukwulu Igwe Peter Uyanwa for supporting Eze  in calling for conduct of local government elections, rejection of zoning in Anambra State governorship ticket to south and praising the president for infrastructural development in Anambra state and South East geopolitical zone.

But Igwe Peter Uyanwa said that the governor cannot suspend him,  adding that while the governor can withdraw his certificate he cannot tell him how to rule his people.

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The suspension, mark the beginning of a serious war between the governnor, Arthur Eze and the affected traditional rulers in the state.

The 12 Traditional rulers were alleged to have travelled with Arthur Eze to report Governor Obiano to the President, over his non conduct of local government elections in the state and other issues, but were turned back at the Villa.

It was gathered that the businessman has been at loggerhead with the governor, who he accused of not paying traditional rulers five percent of monies accruing to the state as directed by the federal government, and also threatening to urge President Buhari to stop paying local government funds to the state government.

The Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Mr. Greg I. Obi listed the suspended Traditional rulers in a circular made available to newsmen in Awka, on Thursday, as follows – Igwe Alex Edozieuno of Mkpunando, Igwe Mark Anthony Okonkwo of Alor, Igwe Chukuwma Bob Vincent Orji of Ezinifite and Igwe Engr G.B.C Mbakwe of Abacha.

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Others are: Igwe Chijioke Nwankwo of Nawfia, Igwe Nkeli Nelly of Igbariam, Igwe Anthony Onyekwere of Owelle, Igwe A. N Onwuneme of Ikenga, Igwe Simon Ikechukwu Chidubem of Umumbo, Igwe S. O Uche of Ezira, Igwe Dr Emeka Ilouno of Ifitedunu and Igwe Peter Ikegbunem Udoji of Eziagulu Otu.

The suspension, which is for one year, took effect from Tuesday, August 11, 2020, the circular stated.

“The suspended traditional rulers are not to parade themselves as traditional rulers and desist from discharging their functions as traditional rulers in their communities or anywhere within the state and beyond with immediate effect.​

The circular stated that, “The traditional rulers traveled outside the state without consultation or authorisation from the state government, an act seen as diversionary with the intent to cause disaffection in the state.

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It was also learnt the suspension of the traditional rulers follow the recommendation of their colleagues in the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council after their meeting at Prof Dora Akunyili Women Development Center Awka on Tuesday, which  condemned the public conduct of the 12 (Igwes) traditional rulers and it has been generating negative reviews in the media in the past one week.

The Council led by the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe condemned the ill-fated trip of the traditional rulers in the strongest term.