Soludo, Achebe Face-off Gets Messier as Anambra Govt Sacks Obi of Onitsha, Appoints Obosi Monarch

By Praise Chinecherem

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo has officially removed Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe as Chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council.

Soludo replaced Achebe with Traditional Ruler of Obosi, Igwe Chidubem Iweka, a renowned author and philanthropist.

Announcing the change on Saturday at the International Convention Centre Awka, during the launch of the “Operation Udo Ga-Chi” security initiative, the governor said Iweka’s appointment aligned with the newly amended State Traditional Rulers law.

This development, according to observers might not be unconnected with long-standing feud between Soludo and Achebe, who berated the governor’s handling of traditional matters.

Achebe had also berated the state governor for suspending Damian Ezeani, the traditional ruler of Neni community, over a chieftaincy title conferred on Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.

The Obi of Onitsha accused the state government of disrespecting traditional rulers and violating their rights, describing the government’s actions as the “apogee of the progressive dehumanisation and dismantling of the traditional institution” under Soludo’s administration.

The Anambra State Traditional Rulers’ amended law has a provision for rotational leadership among the state’s three Senatorial zones, implying that the position of chairman would be shared among the zones, promoting balance and fairness.