By Our correspondent
In a surprise move, Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has officially removed Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha, as Chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council.
Achebe’s replacement is Igwe Chidubem Iweka, a renowned author and Traditional Ruler of Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area.
Soludo announced the change on Saturday at the International Convention Centre Awka, during the launch of the “Operation Udo Ga-Chi” security initiative.
According to the governor, Iweka’s appointment aligns with the newly amended State Traditional Rulers law.
This development follows a long-standing feud between Soludo and Achebe, who criticized the governor’s handling of traditional matters.
Achebe had also berated the state governor for suspending Damian Ezeani, the traditional ruler of Neni community, over a chieftaincy title conferred on Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.
The Obi of Onitsha accused the state government of disrespecting traditional rulers and violating their rights, describing the government’s actions as the “apogee of the progressive dehumanisation and dismantling of the traditional institution” under Soludo’s administration.
The Anambra State Traditional Rulers’ amended law has a provision for rotational leadership among the state’s three Senatorial zones.
This means that the position of chairman will be shared among the zones, promoting balance and fairness.
Igwe Iweka’s appointment is seen as a strategic move to achieve this balance, given the rotational nature of the leadership.
