By Our Reporter
Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has annulled a traditional rulership election held at the Oba community in Idemili South Local Government Area.
The election conducted to find a replacement for the late monarch, Igwe PC Ezenwa, was deemed illegal by the state government for taking place while the matter was still under judicial review in a competent court.
Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Community Affairs, Tony Collins Nwabunwanne, who spoke on behalf of Governor Soludo, also warned that anyone found claiming to have been elected in the disputed election and posing as the monarch or monarch-elect would be arrested.
Nwabunwanne reminded community leaders that there are state-established guidelines for electing traditional rulers and presidents-general to maintain order and harmony.
He emphasized that while the government allows communities to choose their leaders, they must do so according to the community’s constitution and the state’s laws.
Additionally, all communities are required to submit their constitutions to the Ministry of Local Government for verification. This will ensure that all elections are conducted lawfully and without disruption.
Explaining the annulment further, Nwabunwanne mentioned that one of the candidates for the Oba community’s traditional ruler position was disqualified because he could not speak fluently, even though the constitution only required candidates to be literate.
He stated that the government’s role is to be neutral, and since the matter is still under litigation, no election could be valid at this time.
The commissioner reiterated that the government had annulled the election and would work closely with security agencies to arrest anyone pretending to be the newly elected monarch or monarch-elect.
