Chieftaincy title: ‘Soludo envies me’ – Ifeanyi Ubah’s response to suspension of Anambra monarch

The senator representing Anambra South senatorial zone, Ifeanyi Ubah, has reacted to the suspension of the traditional ruler of Neni, a community in Anaocha Local Government Area.

A suspension letter by Anambra State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Tony Collins Nwabunwanne, accused HRM Igwe Damian Ezeani of not seeking clearance from the state government before bestowing titles on people, including ‘persons with questionable character.’

The monarch had, during the Yuletide, conferred on Senator Ubah the title of Odenjinji of Neni, which is similar to the title Soludo also holds in his Isuofia community.

The senator representing Anambra South senatorial zone, Ifeanyi Ubah, has reacted to the suspension of the traditional ruler of Neni, a community in Anaocha Local Government Area.

A suspension letter by Anambra State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Tony Collins Nwabunwanne, accused HRM Igwe Damian Ezeani of not seeking clearance from the state government before bestowing titles on people, including ‘persons with questionable character.’

The monarch had, during the Yuletide, conferred on Senator Ubah the title of Odenjinji of Neni, which is similar to the title Soludo also holds in his Isuofia community.

In his reaction, Ubah, who spoke with our Reporter in a phone interview, said: “The entire game is all about politics. Soludo is frustrated by my rising popularity. I’m not the only person to receive a chieftaincy title. Former Chief of Army Staff Buratai was honoured within the same period; Vice President Kashim Shettima was also honoured; Mr President was honoured in absentia. Why is my own different?”

Uba added: “The governor is frustrated by my acceptance and popularity; he is jittery about the next governorship election, but I leave him to his conscience.”

Ubah, in October 2023, defected from the Young Progressives Party, YPP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC. He was later received into the party in December, alongside another popular grassroots politician, Senator Uche Ekwunife. This action set off an alarm about a possible alliance between the two to unseat Soludo in the 2025 governorship election.

This may have sparked some emotions among members of the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, and the state government.

Anambra is one of the states that holds off-season elections. Its governorship election would be due in 2025.