Mixed Reactions Trail Anambra Igwe Suspensions
Reaction now trail the suspension of 12 traditional rulers in Anambra state, following the charge unlawful travel to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja without consultation clearance with the state government.
The state government, had, in a circular placed one-year suspension on the affected traditional rulers. The circular, titled “Suspension of Twelve (12) Traditional Rulers in Anambra State,” and dated Tuesday August 11, 2020, was signed by the commissioner for local government, chieftaincy and community affairs, Mr. Greg Obi.
The affected traditional rulers include Igwe Alex Edozieuno of Mkpunando, Igwe Mark Anthony Okonkwo of Alor, Igwe Chukuwma Bob Vincent Orji of Ezinifite, Igwe Engr G.B.C Mbakwe of Abacha, Igwe Chijioke Nwankwo of Nawfia, Igwe Nkeli Nelly of Igbariam and Igwe Anthony Onyekwere of Owelle.
Others are Igwe A. N Onwuneme of Ikenga, Igwe Simon Ikechukwu Chidubem of Umumbo, Igwe S. O Uche of Ezira, Igwe Dr Emeka Ilouno of Ifitedunu and Igwe Peter Ikegbunem Udoji of Eziagulu Otu.
Reacting to the development, the exiled traditional ruler of Ifitedunu in Dunukofia local government area of Anambra state, Igwe Dr Chukwemeka Ilounoegbunam, described the incident as unfortunate, wondering the gut with which people insult traditional rulers. “People are accusing the governor whose signature appears nowhere. What reports say is that traditional rulers wanted to see the president, but were prevented.
“The question is, how did they know what the traditional rulers wanted to say to the president and who gave them the information since we had not even talked. You now see the politics in it.”
When asked if the traditional rulers council forbade traditional rulers from travelling outside the state, he said, “It is not true. As we speak, there are many traditional rulers living in Abuja, Lagos and outside the country. The fact is that we should be seen to be residing in our communities, which doesn’t mean you should sit down and fold arms like a statue in your community.
“They have to feed their families and those with businesses have to do them because the government doesn’t give them a living wage. If it is established that they are not given a living wage, for example, but only the monthly N175, 000.
“I have left my medical practice to serve my people. I welcome visitors from all over the world, while also providing kola nuts as custom demands. Check how much this costs and the balance you will be left with to feed your family.
“Government knows that we must go around to do business because they don’t even give us any maintenance allowance. The traditional rulers have to travel to places to ensure they live, if that is permitted, why are you saying they must get permission every time they go out when you know the whole issues with protocols, bureaucracy. So, if you have emergency business dealings, what do you do?”.
Igwe Ilounoegbunam, then, criticised the law purported to have guided the state government’s decision, saying that it was unfounded and unenforceable. “There is no such law prohibiting traditional rulers from travelling. “I call on my subjects to be calm because we are the victims in this battle but we have committed no crime. God, in his own time, will restore sanity and you will see us smiling again. We are law-abiding citizens.
“The state government has just taken their certificate, that doesn’t mean you cease being the traditional ruler. The community selected you and crowned you and not the government.
“After all, some are given certificates years after their enthronement. That is why I said everyone should keep calm. A mistake has been made somewhere and it will be corrected”, he said.
Also speaking, a human rights activist and public affairs analyst, Comrade Ifunanya Nze, posited that what the government did was in order and very correct. “The suspension of the monarchs is in order. The government went through the rules and regulations guiding the traditional rulers. We should not politicise everything. If anybody violates the law of the land, let the law take its course.
“And mind you the government did not just suspend them; it went through the traditional rulers’ council and it was based on their advice and recommendations. The institutions, including traditional and religious, are all under the government. The suspension will bring sanity to the institution”, he added.
Another legal expert and journalist, Mr. Tony Uche Okafor, said the suspension was ill-advised, and negated the fundamental rights of citizens for freedom of movement and association. He said, “Besides, when someone commits an offence, it is natural and morally correct for you to ask him his own side of story before you punish him.
“All these processes were not taken and, for me, the government was despotic and autocratic in taking such action. If I were the traditional rulers, I will contest it in court. That is not the character of democracy”.
Contacted, the commissioner for information and public enlightenment, Mr C-Don Adinuba, said the reason for their suspension of the traditional rulers was a decision of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, noting that the state government was only implementing the decision. “Again, there is a directive that no traditional ruler anywhere in Nigeria can leave his tent without clearance. So, why did they go to Abuja in the first place? In what capacity did they go; as officials of the council which they are not? Were they given the mandate to go represent the traditional rulers’ council?
“Let me tell you, some communities have not had traditional rulers for 30 years as we are talking. Have they died? Let’s be more logical. All this childish, puerile sentiments are just silly. What they did is evil and no level of settlement will pacify the people of Anambra state on this matter”.
Asked if the decision was politically motivated, Adinuba added, “No, the traditional rulers disgraced the people of Anambra state. Did you see the type of money they were sharing? If any of them remains (your) traditional ruler, will you be proud to see him in that silly drama?
On Governor Willie Obiano’s birthday, about two of them called him to claim they had gone there as spies. Those were their words. Why will a traditional ruler call himself a spy or stoop so low? They have degraded their stool, their community and the people of Anambra state”.
This reporter also contacted Igwe Nkeli Nelly of Igbariam and Igwe Mark Anthony Okonkwo of Alor, but both declined comments on the suspension for now.
For his part, the traditional ruler of Nawfia, in Njikoka local government area of Anambra state, Igwe Chijioke Nwankwo, called on his subjects to remain calm and not to go violent as a result of the suspension.
He said, “The state government has to look at the Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, that guarantees the freedom of movement. The only person that can restrict your movement is the court of competent jurisdiction.
“So, visiting the president without knowing our reasons and, even when they know, it is our right to do so. Therefore, the law of 1981 is a nullity when it comes to the constitution. That’s all I can say.”
Orient Weekend further reports that the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council led by the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, had strongly condemned the traditional rulers’ trip, undertaken without notifying either the state or their respective local governments, noting that it violated the code of conduct prescribed for their office.
The commissioner explained that the suspension of the monarchs followed the recommendation of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council after their meeting at Prof Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre in Awka on Tuesday.
Commissioner Greg Obi had, in the circular, indicated that “the affected traditional rulers were “lured to Abuja by a controversial billionaire on a chest-thumping mission to demonstrate his ambition to turn Anambra state into his private fiefdom,” adding that “the suspension may be lifted at the end of one year, renewed or upgraded in the intervening period depending on government’s review of the conduct of the errant royal fathers.” He characterised their action as “leaving their respective domains without notifying either the state or their respective local governments, the traditional rulers” which “had violated the code of conduct prescribed for their office.”
It will be recalled that the traditional ruler of Ukwulu community in Dunukofia local government of the state, Igwe Peter Uyanwa was, on July 24, issued a 12-month suspension by the state government over alleged security reports and petitions against him by some of his subjects.
https://orientdailynews.com/ge....opolis/anambra/mixed
