Chukwuma Soludo, governor of Anambra state, has suspended Damian Ezeani, traditional ruler of Neni community, for conferring a chieftaincy title on Ifeanyi Ubah, senator representing Anambra south district.
Tony-Collins Nwabunwanne, commissioner for local government, chieftaincy and community affairs in Anambra, informed the traditional ruler of the suspension in a letter on Monday.
Nwabunwanne said the code of conduct for traditional rulers in the state mandates that no monarch can confer a chieftaincy title on anyone from outside his community without obtaining the permission of the traditional ruler of the recipient’s community.
Ubah is from Otolo, a community in Nnewi north LGA of Anambra.
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He added that the state government also issued a directive stating that a chieftaincy title should not be conferred by a traditional ruler on a recipient outside his town/ community without obtaining clearance from his ministry.
The commissioner said the regulation is to curtail the growing trend of monarchs conferring titles in exchange for money.
“We have received confirmed reports that you, as traditional ruler of Neni, conferred such a phantom Chieftaincy title today on one Senator Ifeanyi Ubah in violation of the Code of Conduct and without clearance from the Ministry,” the letter reads.
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“Whether or not your action was for pecuniary reasons as being insinuated in many quarters is irrelevant. What is important is that your action is an affront to order and good governance.
“In the light of the above, and for order and good governance, I am directed to 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“You are also by this letter, required to show cause why your Certificate of Recognition should not be withdrawn in line with the Traditional Rulers Law.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.”
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Since Ubah recently defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), there have been speculations that he plans to contest the governorship of Anambra S in 2025.
Ubah won the senatorial seat on the platform of Young Progressives Party (YPP).
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