The traditional rulers of Aguluezechukwu in Aguata Local Government Area, Igwe F.E. Ebelendu; Neni in Anaocha Local Government Area, Igwe Onwuamaeze Damian; and Ojoto in Idemili South Local Government Area, Igwe Gerald Mbamalu, have revoked the chieftaincy titles they had conferred on Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who represents Anambra South. This decision was communicated in a statement issued by Christian Aburime, the Press Secretary to the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, on Tuesday.

The three monarchs had bestowed various chieftaincy titles on Ubah during their respective Ofala and cultural festivals last December. Ubah, who recently switched to the All Progressives Congress, is reportedly eyeing the 2025 governorship election in the state.

The Anambra State government had previously suspended the traditional ruler of Neni Kingdom, Igwe Damian Ezeani, for conferring a chieftaincy title on the Senator. This suspension was based on the violation of the code of conduct for traditional rulers, as stated in a letter signed by the state Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Mr Tonycollins Nwabunwanne, dated January 8, 2024.

According to Aburime, the actions of the three traditional rulers directly contradicted the State Traditional Rulers’ code. The statement from the government indicated that the traditional rulers had apologized to the state government and retracted the chieftaincy titles conferred on Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, acknowledging that it violated the State Traditional Rulers’ law.

The titles of Ikemba Ojoto, Odenjiinji Neni, and Dike Eji Eje Ogu, previously bestowed on Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, have been withdrawn and canceled by the three Igwes, as confirmed in their respective letters of apology to the state government. The government also emphasized the need for traditional rulers to strictly adhere to the State Traditional laws and avoid actions that could contravene the provisions of the law.

In response to his suspension, Senator Ubah criticized the state government, attributing the situation to politics and expressing his belief that Governor Soludo is concerned about his growing popularity. He pointed out that other prominent figures had also received chieftaincy titles during the same period, questioning why his case was different and attributing the governor's actions to frustration and apprehension about the upcoming governorship election.

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