By Ikemefuna Asika, Awka
Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council (ASTRC) has
expressed displeasure with the way the State government is treating the traditional institution.
In a letter addressed to the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Tony Collins Nwabunwanne signed by ASTRC Chairman, Igwe Alfred Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha, the traditional rulers said the way and manner the government maltreated and suspended their members were disrespectful and lacked sensitivity.
Igwe Achebe maintained that the government disrespected the traditional institution by suspending a traditional ruler and communicating the Council through the social media.
He revealed that the Commissioner of Police and the State Director of DSS were copied with the suspension letter but he as ASTRC Chairman was not copied.
“This act, amongst many others, is seen by the traditional rulers of Anambra State as a measure of the worth of the traditional institution to the present administration.
According to the letter, there appears to be issues other between the suspended traditional ruler and the government than the conferment of Chieftaincy title on Senator Ifeanyi Uba.
“The severity of the suspension and threat of withdrawal of Certificate of Recognition suggest that there may be other issues with either lgwe of Neni or Distinguished Senator Ubah which are being stealthily ventilated in this circumstance.”
The ASTRC letter also revealed that the traditional institution in Anambra State comprised some of the finest sons of the state who achieved sterling academic heights and professional and vocational attainments.
Igwe Achebe also said the claim of the government that rulers had demonstrated a penchant for trading chieftaincy titles for money was not supported by any evidence, adding that their stool was not sustained by it or even government stipend.
“By their office, age, attainment and standing in society, they deserve far better respect and dignity than being publicly bullied and unfairly shamed at every opportunity by people in the state government.
“The federal and other state governments hold the traditional institutions in high esteem. What, then, has gone wrong in Anambra state? The traditional institution of Anambra feels strongly that the present administration is progressively dehumanizing and depreciating the institution against the trend in the rest of the country where Federal and State governments accord dignity and respect to the institution.
He noted that “traditional institution is mindful of awesomeness of executive powers and authority in a democratic dispensation and advised that such powers and authority should be exercised with due sensitivity and humaneness over the governed”
Recall that about two weeks ago Anambra State government suspended Igwe Ezeani of Neni, in Anaocha local Government Area because he awarded a Chieftaincy title on Senator Ifeanyi Uba.
