Crisis between the Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Willie Obiano and oil magnet Prince Arthur Eze has deepens as the state government suspended 12 traditional rulers over failed visit to President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja without ‘approval from the government’.
Obiano had accused the 12 monarchs of travelling outside the state with Arthur Eze to visit President Muhammadu Buhari without getting approval from the Anambra state government.
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He said the traditional rulers were lured to Abuja by the billionaire on a chest-thumping mission to demonstrate his ambition to turn Anambra State into his private fiefdom.
Recall, last month, Obiano suspended the traditional ruler of Ukwulu kingdom, Igwe Peter Uyanwa for supporting Arthur Eze in rejection of zoning the state governorship ticket to Anambra South and in commending the president for massive infrastructural development in the state and South East geopolitical zone.
In a circular titled “Suspension of Twelve (12) Traditional Rulers in Anambra State,” dated Tuesday August 11, 2020 obtained by Daily Trust on Thursday, the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Mr. Greg Obi who announced the suspension said the suspension of 12 traditional rulers followed the monarchs travelling outside the state without approval from state government.
The commissioner said the suspension took immediate effect from Tuesday and would be reviewed after one year.
According to the circular, Obiano warned the suspended traditional rulers not to parade themselves as traditional rulers anywhere and to stop discharging their functions as traditional rulers in their various communities or anywhere within the state and beyond with immediate effect.
The circular further revoked their memberships of Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council and cancelled any appointment they may be holding in government committees until the suspension is lifted.
The circular also stated that the suspension may be lifted at the end of one year, renewed or upgraded in the intervening period depending on government’s review of the conduct of the royal fathers.
According to the circular, the suspension of the royal fathers followed the recommendation of Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council after a meeting held in Awka, Anambra state capital on Tuesday.
The circular stated that Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council being headed by the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe had condemned the ill-fated trip of the traditional rulers.
“In leaving their respective domains without notifying either the state or their respective local governments, the traditional rulers had violated the code of conduct prescribed for their office”.
“It would be recalled that the Traditional Ruler of Ukwulu, Igwe Peter Uyanwa had similarly been suspended for a similar misconduct in the previous week” it stated.
The affected traditional rulers are Igwe Alex Edozieuno of Mkpunando, Igwe Mark Anthony Okonkwo of Alor, Igwe Chukuwma Bob Vincent Orji of Ezinifite, Igwe Engr G.B.C Mbakwe of Abacha, Igwe Chijioke Nwankwo of Nawfia, and Igwe Nkeli Nelly of Igbariam
Others include,Igwe Anthony Onyekwere of Owelle, Igwe A. N Onwuneme of Ikenga, Igwe Simon Ikechukwu Chidubem of Umumbo,Igwe S. O Uche of Ezira,Igwe Dr Emeka Ilouno of Ifitedunu and Igwe Peter Ikegbunem Udoji of Eziagulu Otu.
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