A group, Forum of Labor Party, State House of Assembly candidates, Anambra State has frowned at what it called the series of obnoxious policies of the present State Government under Governor Chukwuma Soludo, warning the governor to stop playing God.
The group condemned in strong terms, the ongoing demolition of wares and shops of street traders in Awka and other local government areas of Anambra state, while also frowning at the suspension of the Traditional Ruler of the Neni community, Igwe Damian Ezeani, for conferring a Chieftaincy title on a Serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
In a statement signed by the Coordinator, Obinna Okafor made available to TNC correspondent on Monday, the group described the demolition exercise as barbaric, inhuman, and wicked, warning Governor Soludo not to plunge the state into anarchy.
It issued a 21-day ultimatum to the government to compensate victims of the exercise, warning that it would encourage them to seek redress in court if the government fails to compensate them.
The group however commended the Chairman of Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Dr. Nnaemeka Achebe, and the lawmaker representing Awka North and South Federal Constituency, Prof Lilian Orogbu for publicly speaking against the barbaric acts.
The statement read; “On 8th January 2024; the Government of Anambra State, through the office of the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs via a widely circulated letter on media, suspended the Traditional Ruler of Neni community, H.R.H Igwe Damian O. Ezeani, for conferring a Chieftaincy title on a Serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Also on January 16, 2024; there were viral videos on social media of public destruction and burning of goods and wares of some street hawkers in Awka, by men armed with cutlasses and axes, working in the office of Awka Capital Territory Authority.
“We condemn these two actions of the State Government on her citizens, as they are barbaric, inhuman, and wicked, and we warn the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo not to throw our dear State into anarchy with his tyrannic tendencies.
“As much as we are not encouraging the disobedience to existing laws in the State; from our investigations, there was no existing law/code of conduct prohibiting Anambra State Traditional Rulers from conferring Chieftaincy Titles on non-indigenes of their community.
“This was affirmed and validated by the widely circulated letter by the Chairman of Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, H.R.M Igwe Dr. Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe (CFR), a first-class Traditional Ruler of repute.
“Furthermore, after a careful study of the Anambra State Land Use Law, there was no clear contravention by the street traders that warranted the trauma, intimidation, humiliation, and threat with cutlasses and axes, before destroying and burning their goods and wares.
“However, assuming without conceding that they contravened any law or agreeing with the State Government’s claim that they were constituting a nuisance, they could have been removed peacefully; even though, no neighborhood market was constructed by the State Government for proximity for the residents of the area.
“We request that the State Government pay compensation to those whose goods were destroyed within 21 days. If they don’t do that, we will encourage our members and their indigenes or residents in the affected Local Governments to seek redress in court.
“Finally, we commend the chairman of Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, H.R.M Igwe Dr. Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe (CFR), and the House of Representative member representing Awka North and South Federal Constituency, Prof. Oby Lilian Orogbu for publicly speaking against these intimidations and barbaric acts by the Anambra State Government.”
