Anambra disowns ‘unlawful election’ of traditional ruler in Oba community

The Anambra state government says Oba community in Idemili LGA does not have a traditional ruler.

The people of Oba community allegedly conducted an election for a successor to Peter Ezenwa, the late igwe, who died in 2018.

But addressing a press conference on Monday, TonyCollins Nwabunwanne, commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, said the state government is not aware of any election in the community.

He said there was a subsisting court order stopping the conduct of election of the traditional ruler in the community.

Nwabunwanne said the government did not supervise the process, as demanded by law, because it was “conducted in contempt of court”.

The commissioner said any exercise in contempt of court would not be recognised by the government.

“As at today, there is no traditional ruler or Igwebuike Cabinet in Oba Community; there is a court order which barred conduct of traditional ruler election before us and until that order is dispensed with, there can be no election,” he said.

“The Anambra government is hereby issuing a bench warrant on anybody parading himself as the traditional ruler of Oba Community, such a person should be arrested by the security agencies.”

Nwabunwanne said the Anambra state government will take necessary measures to ensure peace, security and social order.