The traditional ruler of Neni, His Royal Highness, Igwe Damian Ezeani has apologised to Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State over issues that led to his suspension.
Igwe Ezeani who said he took the decision as a Christian also withdrew the chieftaincy titles given to Senator Ifeanyi Ubah and others which led to the imbroglio.
The Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon. TonyCollins Nwabunwanne, had in a letter suspended Igwe Ezeani for conferring chieftaincy title on Senator Ubah and some others without following rules of Code of Conduct for traditional rulers and getting clearance from the Ministry.
The letter stated that Mr. Governor acted in the exercise of his powers under Section 2(c) of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers (Amendment) Law 2020.
The traditional ruler was asked to show cause on why his Certificate of Recognition should not be withdrawn and was also ordered to stop parading himself as a traditional ruler in his own interest.
A group had also alleged that “Igwe Neni installed unpopular isi Ichie (Onowu) Neni on 29th December, not following the constitution of the town, against the directives of the State Government to stay action for one year.
“Igwe Neni till date stood against Neni having a recognised youth body. Igwe Neni unilaterally stopped a section of Neni from getting clearance from the Town Union for funerals, marriages and other social activities against the directives of the town union
“Ìgwè Neni One day woke up to unilaterally ban Masquerades in Neni for two years and deprived our children one of the recreational activities during festive periods.
“Igwe Neni woke up on 4th January 2024, banned Igba Ọdụ (Iyom title) of our women and directed that any further Iyom MUST be approved by his wife.”
The group further alleged that Igwe Neni, years back wanted to install chieftaincy title on people fraglantly, just as he did now. “But was stopped then by Tonymas through the courts. Now he started it again even against the directives of the State Government. Thank you Governor Soludo for saving Ndi Neni from the hands of a tyrant” the group stated.
