South East APC tackles Soludo, Otti over suspension, arrest of traditional rulers

From Emmanuel Uzor, Awka

South East chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has described the suspension of Damian Ezeani of Neni community in Anambra State by Governor Chukwuma Soludo as an affront against Igbo traditional institution.

The party also condemned the alleged illegal arrest and detention of Godwin Kanu Idei, the acclaimed Eze Aro of Arochukwu Kingdom for alleged impersonation by Governor Alex Otti of Abia State.

APC Chairman in the zone, Ijeoma Arodiogbu, said the suspension of Ezeani for conferring chieftaincy title on senator representing Anambra South, and a ranking member of the APC, Ifeanyi Ubah, was condemnable.

Arodiogbu described the action of Anambra State government as an attempt to make Igbo crowns and stools an appendage of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)-led government of Anambra State.

The party called on the pan-Igbo group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, as well as prominent Igbo all over the country and Nigerians, to rise and condemn such act as it undermines the tradition of Igbo.

“We received with shock the recent suspension of an esteemed traditional ruler, Ezeani, the Igwe of Neni community. At first, we thought there was some untruth in the story until its confirmation.

“This also followed the arrest and illegal detention of Idei for impersonation even though he had been rightfully crowned as the Eze Aro by the traditional ruler of Ibom Isii, Nwa Kanu.

“It is, indeed, sad and is deserving of full condemnation for such an aberrational affront against Igbo traditional institutions which we should cherish and nurture, rather than drag us into the mud?

“What is Neni’s offence? That he conferred a title on a senator of APC extraction? Is he the first to have done so? Or is it merely politics, otherwise can we not see this as a move to make the prestigious crowns and stools in Anambra State as an appendage of the APGA-led administration?

“We call on Igbo all over the world, and the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and other Igbo groups, and well-meaning Nigerians to call the administrations of Soludo and Otti to order.”