Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano has handed a one-year suspension letter to 12 traditional rulers over their unapproved visit to President Muhammadu Buhari alongside billionaire oil magnate, Prince Arthur Eze.

The monarchs were alleged to have travelled with Eze to report Governor 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.

Eze has of late been at loggerheads with his home State Governor over the location of the newly created police zonal command covering Ebonyi, Enugu and Anambra States, according to The Sun.

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The Governor had directed that the command should be situated in the State capital, as in every other zone, Eze however demanded that it should be located in his native Ukpo, which he claimed has engaged neighbouring Abagana and Abba communities in fights over land ownership in the last three years.

The Punishment of the monarchs was contained in the suspension notice signed by Greg Obi, Commissioner for local government, chieftaincy and community affairs, on Wednesday, August 12. 

In the suspension letter, the rulers were said to have travelled out of the State without the consent of the Abia State Government. 

Reacting to the unapproved travel by his traditional rulers, Governor Obiano said his decision was in line with the section 10(b) of the Anambra State traditional rulers Law 1981. 

The affected rulers are Igwe Anthony Onyekwere (Owelle), Igwe AN Onwueme (Ikenga), Igwe Simon Ikechukwu Chidubem (Umumbo), Igwe SO Uche (Ezira), Igwe Emeka Ilouno (Ifiteduno) and Igwe Udoji (Eziagulu-Otu). 

Others are Igwe Alex Edozieuno (Mkponando), Igwe Anthony Okonkwo (Alor), Igwe Chukwuma Bob Vincent Orji (Ezenifite), Igwe GBC Mbakwe (Abacha), Igwe Chijioka Nwankwo (Nawfia, and Igwe Nkeli Nelly (Igbariam). 

The suspension, according to the statement, took effect from Tuesday, August 11, 2020.

“The suspended traditional 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.

“Also revoked are their membership of Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council and any appointment they may be holding in Government committees until the suspension is lifted.

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“The suspension may be lifted at the end of one year, renewed or upgraded in the intervening period depending on the government's review of the conduct of the errant royal fathers.

“The traditional rulers leaving their respective domains without notifying either the state or their respective local governments, the traditional rulers had violated the code of conduct prescribed for their office,” the statement read.

The Governor had earlier suspended Igwe Peter Uyanwa, the traditional ruler of Ukwulu community, for one year over alleged insubordination. 

Obiano said that his action in suspending the traditional ruler of Ukwulu, was his last option “to stem reckless acts of the monarch, bordering on insubordination and insincerity, so as to restore order and public confidence.”

Speaking through his Deputy Chief Press Secretary, Emeka Ozumba, Obiano said the royal father, who, according to him, has been dogged by pockets of discontent since he assumed office, “went further to embark on a cause of action that is contrary to the mandate of his stool, which pitched him against other royal fathers in the zone.”

“Igwe Uyanwa deployed deception to lure other royal fathers into a liaison with the intent to further a personal agenda, and when confronted by his colleagues, he deployed blackmail in contravention of the rules; thus, threatening public order and peace in the area.”