Chukwuma Soludo, the governor of Anambra State, has called off an election that the Oba community in Idemili South Local Government Area allegedly staged to choose a traditional leader.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
To replace its deceased monarch, Igwe PC Ezenwa, the community held an election. According to certain interested parties, the election was held on Saturday, but it was held in breach of a subject that is still pending resolution by a court with appropriate authority.
Tony Collins Nwabunwanne, the commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Community Matters, told reporters this in his office on behalf of the governor. He said that anyone caught pretending to be elected from the alleged election and posing as the Oba community’s monarch or a monarch-elect would be taken into custody.
Nwabunwanne declared: “Our people have begun returning home for the Yuletide, and it’s Christmas again.” Many communities hold elections to select their presidents general and traditional leaders around this time, as well as to plan activities and award chieftaincy titles. However, we are taking advantage of this chance to inform community leaders that the state has set rules for how chieftaincy titles are awarded, as well as how presidents general and traditional rulers are elected.
This is so that we can maintain harmony and control over the state. According to this administration, communities are free to select their own kings or PGs, but they must abide by the state’s established rules as well as the constitutions of their respective communities. According to the commissioner, all communities in the state must submit their constitutions to the Ministry in order for officials to make sure that every election is held in accordance with the laws created by the communities themselves.
When asked why the government canceled the election of an Igwe in the Oba community, Nwabunwanne explained that the constitution only required that candidates be able to read and write, but one of the candidates was disqualified for not being able to speak fluently. In order to accomplish this, we started a procedure whereby each community is required to submit its constitution to us. In order to guarantee a smooth transition, we will oversee the process and maintain peace when they wish to hold elections or selections.
“As a government, we are attempting to maintain objectivity and rid ourselves of any notions of bias in the Oba case. You cannot go and hold an election when the parties are still in court. “We have informed all security agencies that the election has been canceled and that anyone posing as the traditional ruler or traditional ruler-elect will be arrested.”CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
