Written By: Kingsley Ifenatuora
Amid the grave global economic crisis arising out of the coronavirus, which has made many state governments unable to pay government employees and retirees for several months, Governor Willie Obiano presented 151 Innoson Sport Utility Vehicles to all recognized traditional rulers in the state. The gesture is principally to make them deepen their commitment to community policing.
Anambra is Nigeria’s safest state and the most peaceful. It is the only state which has not experienced armed bank robbery in six years, despite having some of the biggest markets in Africa where people trade in high volumes with raw cash. Community policing is at the heart of Anambra’s inspiring security story.
However, in Governor Obiano rescuing traditional rulers, there is another kind of rescue. On August 28, the 12 traditional rulers in Anambra State suspended on August 10 for acts incompatible with their status as royal fathers finally apologized to the people and government of Anambra State for their incomprehensible conduct.
It took the monarchs a whole 18 days to publicly apologize when they visited the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, The Right Honorable Uche Okafor, whom they asked to put in a word for them before Chief Obiano. The traditional rulers knew all along that they were being swindled. After all, Dr Robert Eze, the traditional ruler of Ukpo and half-brother of the controversial businessman who craves to be seen as the state’s godfather, refused to join them to travel to Abuja.
Chief Obiano deserves commendation for swiftly acting on the recommendation of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council headed by the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe. The one year suspension, in the first instance, will go a long way to cleanse the land which they desecrated. Every person from Anambra State and beyond was shocked to see in videos the 12 traditional rulers share raw cash from the controversial businessman the way overexcited schoolboys share sweets, biscuits and candies.
No wonder, members of the communities of these traditional rulers have been demonstrating against them, calling for their outright dethronement. It was touching to see the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, lead thousands of his Alor people on Sunday, August 30, at St Mary’s Catholic Church to press for the removal of his monarch.
Dr Ngige, recipient of the National Honour of the Order of the Niger (OON), has even called for the removal of the 12 monarchs from their communities for security reasons because their presence can cause problems in these places. The call has turned out to be prescient.
The controversial businessman has been in cahoots with all manner of characters in the state. One of the characters is a fellow who claims to be the traditional ruler of Awka and not only goes about with the paraphernalia of the office but also addresses himself as “His Majesty”.
Yet, the traditional ruler of this ancient and respected town, Igwe Gibson Nwosu, is alive, strong, and law abiding. Igwe Nwosu was a Nigerian Air Force fighter pilot and former chancellor of Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto. Once President Buhari refused to grant audience to the 12 suspended monarchs, the self acclaimed imperial majesty knew it was the end of the road. He flew back the next day to Anambra State and issued a statement extolling Governor Obiano for exemplary leadership with particular reference to the transformation of Awka from a mere township to a modern state capital.
No doubt, this businessman and his minions have compromised traditional institution, depriving it of honour. Obiano’s suspension of the 12 erring traditional rulers should be seen as the first in a series of steps to restore the dignity of the institution.
The governor deserves commendation for the manner he responded to the issue of the monarchs. He displayed maturity and sophistication. The administration at every moment shows why Anambra State will remain the Light of the Nation.
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