The bitter war between Governor Chukwuma Soludo and Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, representing Anambra South Senatorial District has taken another dimension.
The lawmaker and the governor are arguably not in good terms, following the recent drama in the state over the conferment of a chieftaincy title of Odenjinji of Neni on Ubah by Igwe Damian Ezeani.
For those who don’t know, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah was during the yuletide bestowed with the chieftaincy title which Governor Soludo is also known to hold from his Isuofia community.
But, the traditional ruler was suspended by Governor Soludo for conferring a chietaincy title to Senator Ubah who is not from his community.
Anambra State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Tony Collins Nwabunwanne, in a letter, said;
“The Code of Conduct for Traditional Rulers in Anambra provides that no traditional ruler can confer chieftaincy title on anyone from outside his domain without obtaining the permission of the traditional ruler of the recipient’s community.”
“This is to curtail observed abuses including a growing trend whereby a minority of traditional rulers have demonstrated a penchant for trading chieftaincy titles for money thereby bringing the traditional institution to ridicule and disrepute.”
“This brazen disregard for law and order as well as directives by lawful authorities cannot be tolerated in the new Anambra of today.”
“We have received confirmed reports that you conferred such a phantom chieftaincy title on one Senator Ifeanyi Ubah in violation of the code of conduct and without clearance from the Ministry. Your action is an affront to order and good governance.”
“In the light of the above, I am directed to inform you that Mr. Governor has in the exercise of his powers suspended your recognition as traditional ruler of Neni untill further notice.”
But, Ifeanyi Ubah, in his reaction said; “The entire game is all about politics. Soludo is being frustrated by my rising popularity.”
“I’m not the only person to receive chieftaincy title. The former chief of Army Staff, Buratai was honored within the same period; Vice President Kashim Shettima was also honored; Mr President was honored in absentia. Why is my own different?”
“The governor is frustrated by my acceptance and popularity. He is jittery about the next governorship election, but I leave him to his conscience.”
Besides, the All Progressives Congress (APC), in a statement by the Zonal Publicity Secretary in Anambra Central, Mr. Igboeli Arinze, said; “We had the misfortune of witnessing yet again attempts by the Anambra State Government to unnecessarily dabble into the affairs of our revered traditional institution.”
“This is following the suspension of the paramount ruler of Neni, HRH Damian Onwuamaeze Ezeani owing to the fact that he conferred a chieftaincy title on one of our own, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.”
“Hiding under the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Law, Section 2 C by the Soludo administration to suspend the cultural custodian of Neni smacks of an attempt to witch-hunt Igwe Ezeani.”
“Let us ask – is Igwe Ezeani the first to have conferred a title on someone who isn’t from his community without the opprobrious demand for clearance by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs? Or has the government woken up from its deep slumber because this time around the title was conferred on Senator Ubah?”
“The APC Anambra Central is thus calling on Governor Soludo to stop this assault on our traditional institutions by repudiating the suspension of Igwe Neni as well as reinstating him to the throne of his fathers.”
Now the bitter political war between the two politicians has deepened as the battle for the Anambra State 2025 governorship election has begun.
Information reaching us has it that Senator Ifeanyi Ubah has been touted as the chosen one to fly the flag of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in next year’s election.
