By Jude Michael
The Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, has pardoned three traditional rulers in the state for conferring unauthorized chieftaincy titles on some people, including the Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District, Chief Ifeanyi Ubah.
It will be recalled that the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, had recently written an open letter to the state government where he accused the governor of not according the desired respect to traditional rulers of the state.
Achebe also condemned the suspension of Igwe Damian Ezeani of Neni by the state government.
But in a statement on Wednesday, the press secretary to the governor, Mr Christian Aburime, said the governor had reinstated the suspended Neni monarch, and forgave two others of their infractions.
According to Aburime, the governor forgave the traditional rulers’ trespasses in a meeting attended by no fewer than 94 monarchs.
The meeting was held on Tuesday at Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia, Awka South Local Government Area of the state.
Aburime said while the traditional ruler of Neni, Igwe Damian Ezeani, was reinstated, those of Ojoto and Aguluezechukwu were forgiven of their infractions following their apologies.
Aburime said the governor also addressed some of the welfares of the state monarchs.
Aburime said, ‘The Governor also magnanimously addressed some of their welfare issues. The Governor announced that with the apologies of the affected traditional rulers, the state government accepts their apologies, and subsequently reinstates the traditional ruler of Neni, and forgives the traditional rulers of Ojoto and Aguluezechukwu.
‘Mr Governor further clarified the legal status of the Igwe Nawfia as advised by his legal team.
‘As part of the vote of thanks, both the Obi of Onitsha and Igwe Ojoto passed the votes of thanks and requested for regular meetings with Mr Governor which Mr Governor graciously accepted to hold at least twice a year.
‘The meeting ended on a high note with the traditional leaders having photo sessions with Mr Governor.
It was gathered that the session was part of a consultative meeting with stakeholders to review progress and was part of the line up of events in the new year which began with a retreat of members of the State Executive Council, followed by engagements with Ndi Anambra in Lagos and the Consular-General of the US Embassy.
