The traditional rulers of Aguluezechukwu in Aguata Local Government Area, Neni in Anaocha Local Government Area, and Ojoto in Idemili South Local Government Area, Igwe F.E. Ebelendu;
Igwe Onwuamaeze Damian and Igwe Gerald Obunadike Mbamalu, respectively, have withdrawn and cancelled the chieftaincy titles they conferred on the senator representing Anambra South senatorial district in the National Assembly, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.
The withdrawals and cancellations were disclosed in a statement issued by Chief Press Secretary to the governor of Anambra State, Christian Aburime, on Tuesday.
The three monarchs had conferred various chieftaincy titles on Ubah during their respective Ofala and cultural festivals last December.
Ubah, who recently defected to the All Progressives Congress, is reportedly set to battle for the Anambra State governorship ticket of the APC ahead of the state’s 2025 governorship election.
Recall that the Anambra State government had through the state Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, earlier suspended the traditional ruler of Neni kingdom, Igwe Ezeani, following his conferment of a chieftaincy title on the senator.
Igwe Ezeani was accused by the state government of violating the code of conduct for traditional rulers in Anambra, in a letter announcing his suspension, signed by the state Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Mr Tonycollins Nwabunwanne, and dated January 8, 2024.
Aburime in his statement averred that the earlier action of the three traditional rulers was in direct contravention of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers’ Code.
The statement reads, “It has come to the attention of Anambra State government that Igwe F.E. Ebelendu of Aguluezechukwu in Aguata Local Government Area, Igwe Onwuamaeze Damian Ezeani of Neni in Anaocha Local Government Area and Igwe Gerald Obunadike Mbamalu of Ojoto in Idemili South Local Government Area have respectively apologised to Anambra State government and withdrawn and cancelled the phantom chieftaincy titles they conferred on Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, as it contravenes the State Traditional Rulers’ Law.
“The conferment by the three traditional rulers was in direct contravention of the State Traditional Rulers’ Code, which outlines the rules and regulations regarding the granting and revocation of chieftaincy titles.
“Consequently, the titles of Ikemba Ojoto, Odenjiinji Neni and Dike Eji Eje Ogu, earlier bestowed on Senator Ubah have been withdrawn and cancelled by the three Igwes.
“This was contained in their respective letters of apology to the state government, which also confirmed the withdrawal and cancellation of the chieftaincy titles which they variously described as nullity.
“However, it is instructive to note that traditional rulers are kindly advised to adhere strictly to the state traditional laws and avoid any untoward actions that could contravene the provisions of the law.”
