The senator representing the Anambra South District, Ifeanyi Ubah, was granted a chieftaincy title by Damian Ezeani, the traditional ruler of the Neni Community, resulting in a suspension by the Anambra State Government.
South-east Nigeria’s Anambra State has the community of Neni in the Anaocha Local Government Area.
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Tony-Collins Nwabunwanne, the State Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Community Affairs, revealed this to the traditional ruler in a letter.
The letter dated January 8 was copied to Anambra State’s director of State Security Service and commissioner of police.
It was discovered that the Senator had received the chieftaincy title of “Odenjinji Neni” on Monday from the traditional ruler, just hours before the letter announcing his suspension appeared.
According to the Code of Conduct for Traditional Rulers in Anambra State, no traditional ruler may grant a chieftaincy title to a person who is not a member of his community without first gaining the consent of the recipient’s traditional ruler, Mr. Nwabunwanne stated in his letter to the monarch.
According to the commissioner, the state government has issued a directive that prohibits traditional rulers from bestowing chieftaincy titles on anyone without first obtaining clearance from their ministry. This directive is in addition to the code of conduct and is intended to safeguard security, order, and good governance within the state.
He clarified that the regulation was meant to prevent abuses that were seen, such as the increasing practice of exchanging chieftaincy titles for cash and subjecting traditional institutions to mockery and disgrace.
“We have verified tidings that you, the customary head of Nneni, bestowed upon one Senator Ifeanyi Ubah this phantom chieftaincy today (Monday) in contravention of the Code of Conduct and without authorization from the ministry,” Mr. Nwabunwanne informed the customary head.
According to the commissioner, “in view of the aforementioned, and for order and good governance, I am directed to inform you that Mr. Governor has suspended your recognition as the traditional ruler of Neni until further notice in exercise of his powers under Section 2 (c) of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers (Amendment) Law, 2020.”
According to the Traditional Rulers Law, he urged the traditional ruler to provide justification for not revoking his certificate of recognition.
He said, “In the interim, you are advised to cease presenting yourself as the traditional ruler of Neni Community immediately, for your own personal benefit.”
According to Obasanjo News24, Mr. Ubah was re-elected as a senator for the Anambra South District on February 25, 2023, using the Young Progressives Party’s platform (YPP).
But Mr. Ubah joined the All Progressives Congress immediately after taking office as a senator in June 2023.
His hometown is Otolo, Nnewi, which is located in the state’s Nnewi North Local Government Area.
In the state’s 2021 governorship race, which was won by Mr. Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, the incumbent governor, he was the YPP’s candidate.
