From Emmanuel Uzor, Awka
Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has rescinded his actions and reinstated the suspended traditional ruler, Damian Ezeani of Neni.
Governor Soludo also pardoned two other traditional rulers for conferring unauthorised chieftaincy titles on some people, including a senator representing Anambra South, Ifeanyi Ubah.
Daily Sun reported that Obi of Onitsha, Alfred Achebe, had recently written an open letter to the state government where he accused the governor of not according the desired respect to traditional rulers of the state.
Achebe also condemned suspension of Ezeani in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State by the state government.
However, in what looked like a summersault, his Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, in a statement, said Governor Soludo had reinstated the suspended Neni monarch, and forgave two others of their infractions.
According to Aburime, the governor forgave the traditional rulers’ trespasses in a meeting attended by no fewer than 94 monarchs on Tuesday at Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia, Awka South Local Government Area of the state.
Aburime said while Ezeani was reinstated, those of Ojoto and Aguluezechukwu were forgiven of their infractions following their apologies.
“The governor also magnanimously addressed some of their welfare issues. He announced that with the apologies of the affected traditional rulers, the state government accepts their apologies, and subsequently reinstates Neni, and forgive the traditional rulers of Ojoto and Aguluezechukwu
“Mr. Governor further clarified the legal status of the Igwe Nawfia as advised by his legal team.
“Obi of Onitsha and Igwe Ojoto gave the votes of thanks and requested regular meetings with Soludo which the governor graciously accepted to hold at least twice a year.”
The meeting of the Anambra State traditional rulers was convened by Mr. Governor to meet with the traditional rulers as part of a consultative meeting with stakeholders to review progress.
This is part of the line up of events in the new year which began with a retreat of members of the state executive council, followed by engagements with Ndi Anambra in Lagos and the Consular General of the US Embassy.
No fewer than 94 traditional rulers were in attendance despite the short notice. At the meeting, Achebe reaffirmed the unalloyed solidarity and support of the traditional rulers for the government of Soludo, and assured the government that the traditional rulers are ready to partner the government in all its efforts to transform Anambra into a liveable and prosperous homeland.
Earlier, according to Aburime, the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Tonycollins Nwabunwanne, assured the traditional rulers that government holds them in high esteem, and look forward to continuing working with them closely.
He tried to clarify some of the issues leading to the suspension of a traditional ruler and query of two others, assuring them 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 member of the traditional rulers’ council. And stated that such concerns and similar issues are being looked into by government.
Governor Soludo reiterated the purpose of the meeting which was to focus on the partnership of all stakeholders towards the execution of the solution agenda for 2024.
He briefed the traditional rulers of the major milestones of his administration in the past 22 months; and solicited their cooperation as stakeholders under the Public Private Community Partnership (PPCP), a strategy of his administration’s rapid development of Anambra State.
In the course of the discussion that followed, it was observed that the body operating as the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council as constituted was unknown to the law as the state government has observed that the body was improperly constituted in violation of the provision of Section 2 (F) of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers (Amendment) Law, 2020.
In specific terms, that section provides that the council shall be composed of the following persons to be appointed by the governor, (a) a Chairman) (b) two Deputy Chairmen; and (c) one member from each local government area provided that members appointed from a senatorial zone shall not exceed 11.