By Praise Chinecherem
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has faulted suspension of traditional ruler of Neni, Damian Onwuamaeze Ezeani by Soludo-led administration for conferring chieftaincy title on the Senator representing Anambra South and member of the party, Sen Ifeanyi Ubah.
Zonal Publicity Secretary for Anambra APC Central, Igboeli Arinze Napoleon, in a statement described the action as attempt to muscle traditional institutions and drag it into the murky waters of Anambra politics.
Arinze argued that hiding under the Anambra State Traditional Law to suspend Igwe Ezeani was akin to disrespecting revered traditional institutions and would not augur well for the peace and development of the state.
The statement reads, “We had the misfortune of witnessing yet again attempts by the Anambra State Government to unnecessarily dabble into the affairs of our revered traditional institutions following the suspension of the paramount ruler of Neni, HRH Damian Onwuamaeze Ezeani for conferring chieftaincy title on one of our own, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.
“Hiding under the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Law, Section 2 C by the Soludo administration to suspend the cultural custodian of Neni smacks of an attempt to witch-hunt Igwe Ezeani simply because he conferred a title on Senator Ubah who’s influence the non performing administration led by our governor seems to be growing wary of by the day.
“Let us ask, is Igwe Ezeani the first to have conferred a title on someone who isn’t from his community without the opprobrious demand for clearance by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs? Or has the government woken up from its deep slumber because this time around ithe title was conferred on Senator Ubah?
“Let us even note that the content of Section 2 C of that law is repugnant and should not be something an administration with lots of work to do in terms of unemployment, bad and poor infrastructure and most notably the security of lives and property should bother itself about.
“Such is only bound to muscle our traditional institutions and drag them into the murky waters of politics. Tell me why should a government demand that it clear the recipients for such titles, the government may as well hijack the process and confer such titles on behalf of these communities with the traditional rulers now serving as yes-boys!
“The APC Anambra Central is thus calling on Governor Soludo to stop this assault on our traditional institutions by repudiating the suspension of Igwe Neni as well as reinstating him to the throne of his fathers.”
