Ifeanyi Ubah, senator for Anambra South senatorial zone, has responded to the suspension of the traditional ruler of Neni, a community in Anaocha Local Government Area.
In a suspension letter, Anambra State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Tony Collins Nwabunwanne, accused HRM Igwe Damian Ezeani of failing to obtain state government approval before bestowing titles on anybody, including ‘those of doubtful character.
During the Yuletide, the monarch bestowed upon Senator Ubah the title of Odenjinji of Neni, which is comparable to the rank Soludo enjoys in his Isuofia community.
In his reaction, Ubah, who spoke with DAILY POST over the phone, said: “The entire game is about politics. Soludo is irritated by my growing popularity. I’m not the only one who has received a chieftaincy title. Buratai, the former Chief of Army Staff, was honored over the same time period, as did Vice President Kashim Shettima; Mr. President was honored in his absence. “Why is my own different?”
Uba went on to say, “The governor is frustrated by my acceptance and popularity; he is jittery about the next governorship election, but I leave him to his conscience.”
In October 2023, Ubah defected from the YPP to the All Progressives Congress, or APC. In December, he joined the party alongside Senator Uche Ekwunife, a well-known grassroots politician. This action raised concerns about a potential collaboration between the two to topple Soludo in the 2025 governorship race.
This may have triggered some feelings among members of the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the state government.
Anambra is one of the states with off-season elections. The governorship election would be held in 2025.