The Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano’s rift with billionaire Oil Magnate, Prince Arthur Eze, has reportedly taken a different dimension, with the Governor placing a one year suspension on 12 Traditional Rulers in the State, who went on a trip to Abuja, with Eze, to see President Muhammad Buhari, .
The Monarchs were alleged to have travelled with Eze, to report Governor Obiano to President Buhari, over his non conduct of Local Government Area elections in the State, as well as other issues, but were turned back at the Villa, reportedly.
Eze has been at loggerheads with the Governor, who he accused of not paying Traditional Rulers 5 percent of the monies accruing to the State, as directed by the Federal Government, and also threatening to urge President Buhari to stop paying Local Government funds to the Governor.
Recall, that Igwe Peter Uyanwa, the Monarch of Ukwulu, who had hosted Eze in his Palace, alongside other Traditional Rulers in the meeting, where the plan was hatched, had last week, been suspended too.
The Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Mr. Greg Obi, listed the suspended Monarchs as follows: Igwe Alex Edozieuno of Mkpunando, Igwe Mark Anthony Okonkwo of Alor, Igwe Chukuwma Bob Vincent Orji of Ezinifite, and Igwe Engr. G.B.C Mbakwe of Abacha.
Others are: Igwe Chijioke Nwankwo of Nawfia, Igwe Nkeli Nelly of Igbariam, 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.
The suspension, which is for one year, took effect from Tuesday, August 11, 2020, the circular stated.
“The suspended Traditional Rulers are not to parade themselves as Traditional Rulers, and desist from discharging their functions as Traditional Rulers in their communities or anywhere within the State and beyond, with immediate effect.
“Also revoked are their membership of Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, and any appointment they may be holding in government committees, until the suspension is lifted.
“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 errant Royal Fathers”, it said.
It was further gathered that the suspension of the Monarchs, followed the recommendation of their colleagues in the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, after their meeting at the Prof. Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre, Awka, on Tuesday, which took offence at the public conduct of the 12 Igwes, which has been generating negative reviews in the Media, in the past one week.
The Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, led by the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, had strongly condemned the ill-fated trip of the Traditional Rulers.
The circular added that: “The Traditional Rulers 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.”
More news later…
