Soludo suspends monarch for conferring chieftaincy title on Senator Ubah

Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, has suspended HRH Igwe Damian O. Ezeani, the paramount ruler of Neni Town, for allegedly breaching the official Code of Conduct that governs traditional rulers in the state.

The action was taken after Igwe Damian conferred a chieftaincy title to Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, a member of the All Progressives Congress who is reportedly gearing up to dislodge governor Soludo in 2025 gubernatorial election.

His suspension was announced by the State Commissioner for local government, Chieftaincy, and Community Affairs, Mr. Tonycollins Nwabunwanne.

The paramount ruler is said to have conferred the title on Senator Ifeanyi Ubah without adhering to the established protocol, which mandates obtaining permission from the traditional ruler of the recipient’s community and clearance from the ministry.

According to the commissioner, the Code of Conduct for Traditional Rulers in Anambra, issued and upheld by the traditional rulers themselves, clearly states that no ruler is to confer chieftaincy titles on individuals from outside their jurisdiction without the necessary permissions.

However, the letter announcing the suspension of the traditional ruler reads, “The Code of Conduct for Traditional Rulers in Anambra (issued by the traditional rulers) provides that no traditional ruler can confer Chieftaincy title on anyone from outside his domain (his community) without obtaining the permission of the traditional ruler of the recipient’s community. Furthermore, in the interest of security, order and good governance of the State, the State Government has equally in addition to the Code of Conduct issued a directive through this Ministry to the effect that no such chieftaincy title should be conferred by a traditional ruler on a recipient outside his town/community without obtaining clearance from the Ministry. Among other reasons, this regulation is to curtail observed abuses including a growing trend whereby a minority of traditional rulers have demonstrated a penchant for trading Chieftaincy titles for money thereby bringing the traditional institution to ridicule and disrepute.

“A vast majority of traditional rulers conduct their exalted office with dignity and integrity and stick to the Code of Conduct and directives of the Ministry. However, a tiny few still act recklessly and in total disregard for the Code of Conduct of their office and directives of the supervising Ministry. For example, a few days ago, a former traditional ruler deposed by a Court of law went ahead to confer phantom Chieftaincy titles on 40 individuals in one day (some with questionable characters). This brazen disregard for law and order as well as directives by lawful authorities cannot be tolerated inthe new Anambra of today.

“We have received confirmed reports that you, as traditional ruler of Neni,conferred such a phantom Chieftaincy title today on one Senator IfeanyiUbah in violation of the Code of Conduct and without clearance from theMinistry. Whether or not your action was for pecuniary reasons as beinginsinuated in many quarters is irrelevant. What is important is that youraction is an affront to order and good governance.

“In the light of the above, and for order and good governance, I am directedto inform you that Mr. Governor has in the exercise of his powers under Section 2 (C) of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers (Amendment) Law,2020, suspended your recognition as Traditional Ruler of Neni untill further notice.

“You are also by this letter, required to show cause why your Certificate of Recognition should not be withdrawn in line with the Traditional Rulers Law.In the meantime, you are advised in your own interest, to stop parading yourself forthwith, as the traditional ruler of Neni community.

“Please accept the assurances of my regards.”