Anambra State Government has refuted reports on social media that it has sacked the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, as the Chairman of the State Traditional Rulers Council, ASTRC, over the suspension of three traditional rulers for allegedly conferring phantom chieftaincy titles on the APC Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Dr Ifeanyi Ubah.
The Obi of Onitsha had in a letter to the State Government while reacting to the development, accused the Chukwuma Soludo administration of progressively dehumanizing the traditional institution in the state.
He had also advised the governor to be mindful of how he exercises his executive powers, to avoid abuse.
Following a meeting of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers convened by Governor Soludo at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia, on Tuesday, many media outlets alleged that the governor had sacked the Obi of Onitsha as the Chairman of the ASTRC over his comments.
But, while providing details on the meeting, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Christian Aburime, explained that the meeting with the Traditional Rulers was part of a consultative meeting with stakeholders to review progress.
Debunking any rumors of an altercation between the governor and the revered monarch, Aburime revealed that about 94 Traditional Rulers were in attendance despite the short notice and at the meeting, the Obi of Onitsha, in his opening remarks, strongly reaffirmed the unalloyed solidarity and support of the Traditional Rulers for the state government.
“The Obi of Onitsha assured the government that the Traditional Rulers stand ready to partner with the government in all its efforts to transform Anambra into a livable and prosperous homeland.
“He also expressed the wish that some of the issues pertaining to the suspension of some Traditional Rulers and the controversies of the last few days arising therefrom be put to rest.
“He requested that there were other issues that the Traditional Rulers wish to bring to the government, and further expressed a desire to have another forum after the meeting to discuss these issues, including the welfare of the Traditional Rulers.
“He further requested a meeting with government officials to discuss other issues of mutual interest,” Aburime revealed.
The CPS said Governor Soludo on his part, said the purpose of the meeting was to focus on the partnership of all stakeholders towards the execution of the Solution agenda for 2024.
“In the course of the discussion that followed, it was observed that the body operating as the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council as constituted was unknown to the law as the State Government has observed that the body was improperly constituted in violation of the provision of section 2 (F) of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers (Amendment) Law, 2020.
“In specific terms, that section provides that the Council shall be composed of the following persons to be appointed by the Governor-
(a) a Chairman;
(b) two Deputy Chairmen; and
(c) one member from each Local Government Area provided that members appointed from a senatorial zone shall not exceed eleven.
“There are three senatorial zones and twenty-one local governments in Anambra State. The above provision of the law therefore mandates that the Traditional Rulers Council shall be constituted with not more than 36 members.
“The record of the State however shows that the body currently acting as the Traditional Rulers Council is composed of 52 persons in utter violation of the law, the implication of which is that the body is not the Traditional Rulers Council known to law.
“To that extent, that body as presently constituted cannot make any valid decisions or function legally; and could not have done so in the light of the provisions of the law.
“Furthermore, section 30 of the Traditional Rulers Law 2007 and 2020 as amended provides that each member shall be appointed to the council for a term of four (4)years only and shall be eligible for appointment for another term of four years and no further term.
“However, the State Government has observed that most members of the said body as presently constituted have held their positions beyond the eight years limit in violation of the law.
“The cumulative effect of the above is that the present body cannot legally function as the Traditional Rulers Council as it is made up of persons who are legally disabled from being members of the Council. Unfortunately, this body has been functioning as the Traditional Rulers Council of Anambra State for several years,” Aburime further noted.
He said to purge the State of this illegality, the governor made the following suggestions which were accepted by the traditional rulers-
“That all Traditional Rulers in the State shall become members of the Anambra Traditional Rulers Council other than a select few, and therefore remove the term limit.
“But that for this to function there will be a need for amendment of the relevant sections of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Law.
“Consequently, it was agreed that a committee made up of 5 Traditional Rulers, plus officers of government to urgently meet to consider the amendment of the relevant sections and any other section of the Traditional Rulers law deemed pertinent for a review.
“As quickly as the law is amended there shall be a meeting of Traditional Rulers for the Governor to formally inaugurate the council so that it can function in strict compliance with the Law.”
The CPS further revealed that the Governor also at the meeting, announced that with the apologies of the affected Traditional Rulers, the State government accepted their apologies, and subsequently reinstates the Traditional Ruler of Neni, and forgave the Traditional Rulers of Ojoto and Aguluezechukwu.
He continued; “Mr Governor further clarified the legal status of the Igwe Nawfia as advised by his legal team.
“As part of the vote of thanks, both the Obi of Onitsha and Igwe Ojoto passed the votes of thanks and requested regular meetings with Mr Governor which Mr Governor graciously accepted to hold at least twice a year.
“The meeting ended on a high note with the traditional leaders having photo sessions with Mr Governor.”
