Anambra Monarch suspended by Governor Soludo over chieftaincy title to Senator Ubah

Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has suspended Igwe Damian Ezeani, the traditional ruler of Neni in Anaocha local government area, for conferring a chieftaincy title on Senator Ifeanyi Ubah. The suspension is indefinite, according to a letter from the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Town Union Matters, Collins Nwabunwanne.

The letter accused Igwe Ezeani of violating the Code of Conduct for traditional rulers in Anambra State, which prohibits monarchs from conferring chieftaincy titles on individuals outside their domain without obtaining permission from the traditional ruler of the recipient’s community. In this case, it was reported that Igwe Ezeani did not seek permission from Igwe Kenneth Orizu of Nnewi before bestowing the title on Senator Ubah, who hails from Nnewi.

The suspension letter cited the violation of the Code of Conduct, regardless of the monarch’s intentions, as an affront to order and good governance. Governor Soludo, invoking his powers under Section 2 (C) of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers (Amendment) Law, 2020, suspended Igwe Ezeani’s recognition as the traditional ruler of Neni until further notice.