Desist from parading yourself as King – Governor warns Monarch
Desist from parading yourself as King – Governor warns Monarch
Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has intervened in the Oba community leadership dispute, halting Augustine Chinedu Emelube from presenting himself as the community’s monarch.
Hon. Tonycollins Nwabunwanne, the state’s Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, issued the statement on behalf of the governor, declaring that Emelube’s election was illegal.
Nwabunwanne clarified that the election was conducted while a court case regarding the traditional rulership process was still pending, rendering the election invalid and not recognized by the state government.
The Commissioner further explained that there is no official traditional ruler or Igwe cabinet in Oba due to the ongoing legal matter concerning the election’s legitimacy.
Reacting to the governor’s decision, Chukwuma Ananti, a rival contestant in the disputed election, applauded the move.
He praised the governor for halting Emelube’s claim to the throne, urging for the full implementation of a consent judgment, which stipulates that the Oba monarch election must follow a zoning arrangement.
Ananti also called for the immediate suspension of the community’s president-general, accusing him of bias in the election process.
“The Oba Igweship election was supposed to be concluded according to the zoning agreement, as per the consent judgment. Despite this, the president-general ignored the court’s directive and proceeded with an illegal election,” Ananti told reporters.
