Chieftaincy titles: Why I disobeyed you, Obelle Nawfia replies Soludo

Chief Daniel Obelle of Nawfia in the Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State has given explanations to the state governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, why he( Obelle) flouted the code of conduct guiding the conferment of chieftaincy titles in the state.

Our correspondent recalled that around September,2023, Obelle also celebrated new yam festival as the Nawfia monarch in defiance to government public announcement stating that Nawfia had no traditional ruler as a result of a pending court case about the stool
wherein Igwe Chijioke Nwankwo is challenging his removal in office by a former governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano.
Igwe Nwankwo was amongst the 12 traditional rulers suspended by Obiano for joining an oil mogul, Prince Arthur Eze, to visit former President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja.

Nwankwo had to challengedObiano’s action in court on fundamental rights grounds of freedom of movement, association and sundry reasons.

But while all those where going on, Obiano at the twilight of his administration crowned Chief Daniel Obelle as the traditional ruler of Nawfia.

When Soludo became governor on March 17, 2022, he promised to look into the Nawfia case, hence the public announcement in September declaring that Nawfia had no traditional ruler for the time being.

On January 4th, 2024, Obella conferred Chieftancy titles on no fewer than 40 persons in Nawfia in recognition of their various commitment towards human capital development.

But in a press statement he( Obelle) personally signed on Monday, he explained to the state governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, why he took the action.

The statement read in part; “My attention has been drawn to a press statement by the Anambra State Commissioner for Local Government & Chieftaincy Matters., Mr. Tony Collins Nwabunwanne alluding to some Ndi Igwe in Anambra State that recently conferred chieftaincy awards on certain personalities without clearance from the state government.

“I wish to state that as a new comer to the royal throne of Nawfia Community, I was not aware the existence of the circular in question. Besides. I am not a member of the State Traditional Rulers Council where the said circular was issued.

“In the peculiar circumstances, I declare my unalloyed loyalty to Mr. Governor Prof C. C. Soludo, CFR, and my unreserved apology for the omission of not obtaining his approval before conferring the chieftaincy awards on deserving citizens who were thoroughly, screened before the awards were bestowed on them.

“Sir, it’s pertinent to state that the chieftaincy awards and commendation certificates are intended to motivate and galvanize indigenes and non-indigenes of Nawfia towards community development.

“As partners in uplifting Anambra State to make it liveable and secure, Mr. Governor, kindly accept the assurances of my highest esteem and respect.

A release signed by the State Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs Mr Tony-Collins Nawbunwanne said the Governor’s directive to suspend Traditional rulers that conferred Chieftancy titles to some persons without Government approval was in exercise of his powers under Section Two (C) of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Law 2020 as amended.

According to the release, the Code of conduct for traditional rulers in Anambra State provides that no traditional ruler can confer Chieftaincy title on anyone outside his community without obtaining the permission of the traditional ruler of the recipient community while the state government has equally issued a directive to the effect that no such Chieftaincy title should be conferred by any traditional ruler on a recipient outside his community without obtaining clearance from the ministry.

It explained that the regulations and measures were to among other things prevent abuses and trading of chieftaincy titles for money thereby bringing the traditional institution to