From Emmanuel Uzor, Awka
South East chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC has described the suspension of Igwe 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.
The Chairman of APC in the zone, Dr. Ijeoma Arodiogbu, said the suspension of Ezeani for conferring chieftaincy title on the senator representing Anambra South, and a ranking member of the APC, Senator 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 APGA led government of Anambra state.
The party called on the pan Igbo group, Ohanaeze NdiIgbo as well as prominent Igbos all over the country as well as Nigerians; to rise up and condemn such an act as it undermines the tradition of NdiIgbo.
“We received with shock the recent suspension of an esteemed traditional ruler, Igwe Damian Onwuamaeze Ezeani, the Igwe of Neni Community, at first we thought there was some untruth in the story until its confirmation.
This came coupled with the arrest and illegal detention of the acclaimed Eze Aro of Arochukwu Kingdom , Godwin Kanu Idei for impersonation even though Idei had been rightfully crowned as the Eze Aro by the traditional ruler of Ibom Isii, Eze Nwa Kanu”
“It is indeed sad and is deserving of full condemnation such an aberrational affront against Igbo traditional institutions which we should cherish and nurture, rather than drag into the mud?
“What is Igwe 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 Igbos all over the world, and the leadership of the Pan Igbo organizations, Ohanaeze NdiIgbo and other Igbo groups likewise well meaning Nigerians to call the administrations of Chukwuma Soludo and Alex Otti to order.”