Anambra’s Cultural Tensions Deepen as Uzu Okagbue Condemns Soludo’s Handling of Obi of Onitsha’s Office

 

Political tensions in Anambra State are escalating as Uzu Okagbue, Deputy Governorship candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), issued a blistering rebuke against Governor Chukwuma Soludo, accusing him of deliberately eroding the sanctity of Igbo traditional institutions—particularly the revered stool of the Obi of Onitsha.

This latest controversy was triggered during President Bola Tinubu’s recent visit to the state, where he was honored with a chieftaincy title by selected traditional rulers. Notably absent from this ceremonial gathering was the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe—an omission that many observers see as neither accidental nor apolitical.

Okagbue wasted no time in describing the development as an insult to the very soul of Igbo heritage. According to him, the absence of the Obi during such a culturally symbolic occasion reflects a calculated attempt by Soludo's administration to marginalize and delegitimize the traditional authority of one of the most respected monarchs in the South East.

Without mincing words, Okagbue criticized the governor’s perceived political interference in sacred traditional matters, stating that the administration has “taken the path of dishonor.” He accused Soludo of manipulating state-backed traditional rulers to curry favor with political elites while alienating historically significant voices like the Obi of Onitsha.

“The Obi of Onitsha stands as a towering emblem of cultural nobility,” Okagbue declared in a press release. “To sideline such a figure is to offend not just the man, but the history and spiritual essence he embodies.”

This isn’t the first time Soludo’s government has been accused of marginalizing traditional authorities. Approximately two years ago, the suspension of the Igwe of Neni—following a chieftaincy conferment on the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah—sparked outrage. It was widely speculated that the move was politically motivated due to Ubah’s rivalry with Soludo. The decision triggered a rare and stern public letter from the Obi of Onitsha, in which he decried the government’s unilateralism and disrespect towards the state’s Council of Traditional Rulers.

In what many interpreted as retaliation, Soludo soon removed Igwe Achebe from his role as Chairman of the Anambra Traditional Rulers Council, claiming his tenure had ended. However, the position was left vacant for over a year before a new chairman, Igwe Iweka of Obosi, was appointed—stirring further controversy due to the longstanding historical rivalry between Onitsha and Obosi.

Political analysts warn that this replacement, seen by some as deliberately provocative, risks reopening old wounds between the two communities. The decision is viewed by critics as dangerously short-sighted, with cultural and political ramifications that could outpace the governor’s ability to manage them.

Okagbue’s statement emphasized that the government’s actions represent not just a lapse in judgment, but a broader decline in respect for the cultural institutions that bind the region together. “No amount of political gaslighting from a rudderless system… can diminish [Obi of Onitsha’s] preeminence in South East’s traditional order,” the YPP candidate remarked.

The statement has struck a nerve among many in the state who view the Obi of Onitsha as a symbol of Igbo resilience and unity. With the November 8, 2025, governorship election approaching, observers believe the issue could significantly impact voter sentiment, especially among those deeply rooted in Anambra’s cultural traditions.

While investigations into the broader political implications continue, tensions are palpably rising. The police are yet to comment on related concerns stemming from these developments. However, many citizens are calling for a de-escalation of hostilities between political actors and custodians of tradition to preserve the fragile harmony within the state.

As Anambra navigates this turbulent political period, the outcome may well redefine the relationship between politics and tradition—not just in the state, but across the wider Igbo landscape.