Undoubtedly, the political landscape of Anambra state is already ablaze with the fires of the impending 2025 gubernatorial battle. However, the current administration, led by Prof. Chukwuma Sol udo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), is only midway through its tenure. Governor Soludo has found himself in the crosshairs, particularly for his foray into the intricacies of the traditional institution, notably with the Obi of Onitsha, Nnaemeka Achebe.
His most formidable adversary in this political chess match is Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, representing Anambra South senatorial zone and an influential figure in the oil sector. The crux of the matter lies in Ubah’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his expressed interest in challenging Soludo for the governorship. The incumbent governor harbours concerns that Ubah’s alignment with APC, and a potential nod from President Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, may pose a threat to his re-election prospects. Ubah, often viewed as a political dynamo echoing the legacy of the late K O Mbadiwe, dismisses Soludo’s apprehensions, asserting that the governor fears him.
The Senator pledges a single four-year term, promising to promptly conduct local government elections that have eluded the state for the past 18 years within a mere four months. Perceiving discontent among the populace due to perceived administrative missteps, Soludo appears to have initiated a political vendetta against Ubah to counteract potential hostility. The recent clash between Governor Soludo and Senator Ubah escalated over chieftaincy titles bestowed upon Ubah by certain traditional rulers in the state, leading to the suspension and subsequent dethronement of these traditional leaders by the Governor. This audacious move has triggered public outcry, with many questioning the Governor’s authority to take such drastic actions, labeling it as unwarranted jealousy.
Ubah’s political journey took a turn in October 2023 when he defected from the Young Progressives Party (YPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). His reception into the APC, alongside Senator Uche Ekwunife in December, fueled speculations of a potential alliance for the 2025 gubernatorial race on the APC platform, with Ubah eyeing the governorship and Ekwunife as the deputy. Amidst the festive season, Ubah received three distinct traditional titles from different monarchs, including Odenjinji (earthquake) from Neni in Anaocha, Ikemba (the warlord) from Aguluezechukwu in Soludo’s local government, and Egbe eji eje ogu (the gun meant for war). These titles further heightened tensions between Ubah and Soludo.
In response to Ubah’s growing influence, the Anambra State government issued a letter, signed by the commissioner for local government and chieftaincy matters, Collins Nwabunwanne, suspending the monarch of Neni, Damian Ezeani, amplifying the political turbulence in the state. The monarch was accused of not seeking clearance from the state government before bestowing titles on people, including “persons with questionable character.” “The Code of Conduct for Traditional Rulers in Anambra provides that no traditional ruler can confer chieftaincy title on anyone from outside his domain without obtaining the permission of the traditional ruler of the recipient’s community. This is to curtail observed abuses, including a growing trend whereby a minority of traditional rulers have demonstrated a penchant for trading chieftaincy titles for money, thereby bringing the traditional institution to ridicule and disrepute.
“This brazen disregard for law and order as well as directives by lawful authorities cannot be tolerated in the new Anambra of today. We have received confirmed reports that you conferred such a phantom chieftaincy title on one Senator Ifeanyi Ubah in violation of the code of conduct and without clearance from the Ministry. Your action is an affront to order and good governance. In the light of the above, I am directed to inform you that Mr. Governor has in the exercise of his powers suspended your recognition as traditional ruler of Neni until further notice,” Nwabunwanne said in the letter.
The fallout from Governor Soludo’s actions reverberated across various sectors, sparking unprecedented reactions from the APC, other political parties, religious institutions, professionals, market leaders, civil society organisations, and a media frenzy. The collective disapproval echoed through every facet of society. However, the most impactful response came in the form of a poignant letter from the Obi of Onitsha, Nnaemeka Achebe, which indicted Soludo’s administration for its perceived disregard for traditional institutions. Achebe’s missive, reportedly prompted by the forced apology extracted from the Neni monarch by Soludo, cut through the political tumult with unfiltered truths.
Achebe’s candid assessment compelled Soludo to take drastic measures, leading to the dissolution of the state traditional council, where the revered monarch had served as the chairman. The dissolution marked a significant shift in the power dynamics, reflecting the palpable tension between the governor and the traditional institution. The incident underscores the delicate balance between political authority and cultural heritage in Anambra state.
Obi Achebe’s letter, titled “Notification for the Suspension of HRH Igwe Damian O. Ezeani, The traditional ruler of Neni,” was addressed to the commissioner for local government and chieftaincy matters, Hon. Tony Collins Nwabunwanne. In the letter, Achebe expressed his dismay over the handling of the suspension of Igwe Damian Ezeani and criticized the disrespectful tone and language used in the official communication. Achebe highlighted the lack of respect and sensitivity in addressing the traditional rulers of Anambra State, emphasising their high esteem in the comity of traditional institutions. He took issue with the characterisation of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah as “one Senator Ifeanyi Ubah,” considering it disrespectful, offensive and unbecoming of a commissioner.
The Obi of Onitsha questioned the severity of the suspension and the threat of withdrawing the Certificate of Recognition, suggesting that there might be other undisclosed issues related to Igwe Neni or Senator Ubah. Achebe also pointed out the need for a fair and proportionate response, considering Senator Ubah’s status as a federal lawmaker, a chieftaincy title holder in his hometown, Nnewi, and a notable business investor and philanthropist in Anambra State. Achebe’s letter underscored the importance of addressing traditional institutions with respect, sensitivity and fairness, raising concerns about the potential hidden motives behind the suspension.
“I was embarrassingly inundated with phone calls and messages from traditional rulers and other persons seeking clarification from me as chairman of ASTRC regarding a situation to which I was not privy. Your letter to lgwe Damian Ezeani was copied to the Commissioner of Police and Director of DSS, Anambra State, but not to the chairman of the ASTRC. This act, amongst many others, was seen by the traditional rulers of Anambra State as a measure of the worth of the traditional institution to the present administration.
“The tone and language of your letter were, by any measure, a public riot act and pontification to the same majority of traditional rulers that you extolled as acting with dignity and integrity. The letter lacked respect and sensitivity in addressing the traditional rulers of Anambra State who, by any standard, are held in very high esteem in the comity of the traditional institutions of Nigeria and beyond. Your letter also stated that “lgwe Damian Ezeani, as traditional ruler of Neni, conferred such a phantom chieftaincy title on one Senator Ifeanyi Ubah in violation of the Code of Conduct and without clearance from the Ministry.”
“The ASTRC cannot yet take a view on the violation of the Code of Conduct until it receives a report from the ad-hoc committee it set up to meet with lgwe Neni. Nevertheless, it is very manifestly presented above that no written directives from your Ministry on conferment of chieftaincy titles existed before 08 January 2024 when lgwe Neni was suspended. Your reference to a second-term Right Honorable Distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as “one Senator Ifeanyi Ubah” is most disrespectful, offensive, and unbecoming of one holding a political office as Commissioner. It is noteworthy that a person can only qualify to contest elections after scaling through the highest level of security checks at the federal level. Furthermore, Distinguished Senator Ubah holds a chieftaincy title of his hometown, Nnewi, conferred on him by his monarch and Grand Patron of the Anambra State Traditional Institution, His Majesty, lgwe Kenneth O. Orizu.
“He is also a well-known business investor in Anambra State and a generous philanthropist. Thus, assuming that lgwe Neni did not strictly comply with Code of Conduct, would the foregoing factors not be sufficiently extenuating to warrant a far less sanction on him as was meted to some other “tiny fen/’ that also failed to comply? The severity of suspension and threat of withdrawal of Certificate of Recognition suggests that there may be other issues with either lgwe Neni or Distinguished Senator Ubah which are being stealthily ventilated in this circumstance,” Achebe wrote.
The crux of the conflict between traditional rulers, Soludo and Ubah revolves around the 2025 governorship election in Anambra State. The prevailing sentiment among the majority is that Soludo’s administration has not fulfilled the promised transformation of Anambra into a “Dubai-Taiwan.” While acknowledging Soludo’s efforts to improve the state, many believe that it falls short of expectations. Chief Rufus Aniagor of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) suggests that Soludo is nearing the end of his gubernatorial tenure and will face electoral challenges in 2025. Chief Basil Ejidike, the APC state chairman, encourages Soludo to prepare for a transition, asserting that the APC is determined to secure victory in the 2025 elections. In contrast, APGA member and leader of APGA National Media Forum, Evangelist Chinedu Obigwe, dismisses these speculations as mere “factory noise,” indicating a level of confidence within the APGA camp.
Soludo’s administration faces criticism for alleged misconduct, including employing thugs to destroy goods belonging to the less privileged on the streets. As the political landscape intensifies, the 2025 election looms large, shaping the dynamics of Anambra State’s future leadership. The challenges with Soludo’s administration extend beyond economic concerns. Traders relocating due to high taxes, clashes with the Catholic Church, and strained relationships with various sectors, including the media, communities and traders, have become defining features of his tenure. Despite outward attempts to reconcile with the traditional institution and the workforce, unresolved conflicts with monarchs and Senator Ubah could pose additional hurdles as the 2025 gubernatorial election approaches. The political landscape in Anambra State remains complex, marked by tensions that may shape the course of the upcoming electoral contest.
