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Anambra State governor, Willie Obiano has suspended 12 traditional rulers who went on a trip to Abuja with oil magnate, Prince Arthur Eze to see President Muhammad Buhari, over the state of affairs in Anambra for 12 months.
The Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Mr Greg I. Obi, in a statement issued in Awka on Thursday, alleged that the 12 monarchs travelled with Eze to report Obiano to the President, over his non-conduct of local government elections in the state and other issues, but were turned back at the Villa.
The businessman has been at loggerhead with the governor, who he accused of not paying traditional rulers five per cent of monies accruing to the state as directed by the federal government, and therefore threatened to ask Buhari to stop paying local government funds into the state government’s coffers.
Obi listed the suspended traditional rulers as: Igwe Alex Edozieuno of Mkpunando; Igwe Mark Anthony Okonkwo of Alor; Igwe Chukuwma Bob Vincent Orji of Ezinifite and Igwe Engr G.B.C Mbakwe of Abacha.
Others are: Igwe Chijioke Nwankwo of Nawfia; Igwe Nkeli Nelly of Igbariam; Igwe Anthony Onyekwere of Owelle; Igwe A. N Onwuneme of Ikenga; Igwe Simon Ikechukwu Chidubem of Umumbo; Igwe S. O Uche of Ezira; Igwe Emeka Ilouno of Ifitedunu and Igwe Peter Ikegbunem Udoji of Eziagulu Otu.
The suspension, which is for 12 months, took effect from Tuesday, August 11, 2020, the statement said.
“The suspended rulers are not to parade themselves as traditional rulers and desist from discharging their functions as traditional rulers in their communities or anywhere within the state and beyond with immediate effect.
“The traditional rulers travelled outside the state without consultation or authorisation from the state government, an act seen as diversionary with the intent to cause disaffection in the state,” the statement added.
It was gathered that the suspension of the Traditional rulers follows the recommendation of their colleagues in the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, after their meeting at Prof Dora Akunyili Women Development Center, Awka, on Tuesday.
The Council led by the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, condemned the visit of the traditional rulers to the president.