By Ovat Abeng
Three traditional rulers in Anambra State who bestowed chieftaincy titles on the senator representing Anambra South senatorial District Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, have withdrawn them.
There have been a long drawn battle between Ubah and the Anambra State governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, steming from the former’s quest to replace the later as governor.
Ubah had late last year joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), and he is touted to be APC’s joker for Soludo’s ouster.
Meanwhile, within the 2023 Christmas and New year celebrations, Ubah was bestowed with several chieftaincy titles by different traditional rulers in the state.
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Among them are; Igwe F.E. Ebelendu of Aguluezechukwu in Aguata Local government area, Igwe Onwuamaeze Damian Ezeani of Neni in Anaocha Local government area and Igwe Gerald Obunadike Mbamalu of Ojoto in Idemili South local government area.
The monarchs bestowed the the senator the titles; Ikemba Ojoto (strength of Photo community), Odenjiinji Neni (Mystery of Neni Community)and Dike Eji Eje Ogu (warrior that can be taken to battle), respectively.
Meanwhile, the state governor, Chukwuma Soludo noting Ubah’s growing influence moved to clips the wings of the traditional rulers who awarded the titles. Soludo started by suspending the erring traditional rulers, citing negligence of due process in awarding titles as contained in the traditional rulers’s council law.
But the traditional rulers involved have on Tuesday night tendered apologies to the governor and also withdrawn the titles.
In a press release by the Press Secretary to the state governor, Mr Christian Aburime, he said: “The monarchs have respectively apologized to Anambra State Government and withdrawn and cancelled the phantom chieftaincy titles conferred on Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, as it contravenes the State Traditional Rulers’ law.”
The release further read: “This action by the three traditional rulers was in direct contravention of the State Traditional Rulers’ code, which outlines the rules and regulations regarding the granting and revocation of chieftaincy titles.
“Consequently, the titles of Ikemba Ojoto, Odenjiinji Neni and Dike Eji Eje Ogu earlier bestowed on Senator Ifeanyi Ubah have been withdrawn and cancelled by the three Igwes.
“This was contained in their respective letters of apology to the State Government which also confirmed the withdrawal and cancellation of the Chieftaincy titles which they variously described as nullity.”
The letters by the monarchs were also sighted by this our correspondent, where they withdrew the titles earlier conferred on Ubah.