Governor Soludo Nullifies Illegal Igweship Election in Oba, Sparks Fresh Controversy

 

Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has taken decisive action to halt the emergence of a supposed traditional ruler in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area. The governor, through the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Tonycollins Nwabunwanne, declared that Augustine Chinedu Emelube must cease parading himself as the monarch of the community.

The government’s decision, according to Nwabunwanne, was based on the fact that the election that produced Emelube was conducted in violation of an ongoing legal battle. He emphasized that the state government could not recognize an election held despite a pending court case, which directly challenges the process and legitimacy of the exercise.

“There is no officially recognized traditional ruler or Igwe cabinet in Oba at the moment,” Nwabunwanne stated firmly. “This is because a legal dispute concerning the conduct of the election is yet to be resolved. As a responsible government, we cannot allow a process marred by controversy to stand.”

Legal Tussle Over Oba Igweship Intensifies

The Igweship election in Oba has been a source of tension within the community, with multiple factions pushing conflicting interests. The latest development has fueled further discussions about the rightful process for selecting a traditional ruler in line with the community’s customs and legal framework.

Reacting to the governor’s intervention, one of the contestants, Mr. Chukwuma Ananti, praised the decision to halt Emelube’s recognition as Igwe. According to Ananti, the move was necessary to restore order and ensure fairness in the process.

He further called for the strict enforcement of a consent judgment, which outlines that the selection of the traditional ruler should follow a zoning arrangement. “The issue of Oba Igweship was already addressed through terms of settlement, which were contained in a court-backed consent judgment,” Ananti explained. “The ruling specifically instructed that the election must be conducted based on zoning, yet certain individuals disregarded this directive.”

President-General Accused of Bias in Election Conduct

Ananti did not stop at commending the state government’s intervention; he also took aim at the president-general of the Oba community, accusing him of partiality. He alleged that despite the commissioner’s directive to suspend the election, the president-general proceeded with it, thereby worsening the already volatile situation.

“The Commissioner for Local Government acted wisely by calling off the election, recognizing that there was an ongoing court case. But, regrettably, the president-general of Oba ignored this directive and went ahead with the illegal election,” Ananti lamented.

He, therefore, urged the government to restrain the president-general from playing any further role in the electoral process, as his actions had raised serious concerns about impartiality and fairness.

Community Awaits Government's Next Move

The latest action by Governor Soludo’s administration has stirred fresh debate within the Oba community. While some residents applaud the government’s firm stance in upholding the rule of law, others fear that the prolonged legal dispute may leave the town without a traditional ruler for an extended period.

As the court case lingers, Oba remains without an officially recognized Igwe. The community now awaits further decisions from the state government and judicial authorities on how to proceed with the selection of a new traditional ruler.

With tensions running high, all eyes are on the state government to ensure that the final resolution aligns with both the law and the cultural traditions of the people of Oba.