By STANLEY NWANOSIKE

The Civil Liberties Organization (CLO) has urged Gov. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra to abide by the counsel of the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, over the suspension of a traditional ruler in the state.

The Chairman of CLO in Anambra, Mr Vincent Ezekwueme, made the appeal while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday, in Enugu, on the lingering issue heating up the polity of the state.

NAN recalls that Igwe Damian Ezeani, traditional ruler of Neni community in Aniocha Local Government Area of Anambra, was recently suspended from his throne by the state government.

The suspension followed his award of chieftaincy titles on some citizens outside his domain allegedly without clearance from the state Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, as stipulated by the state’s Traditional Rulers’ Code of Conduct.

According to Ezekwueme, Anambra Government should take very seriously the wise position of the Obi of Onitsha on behalf of the Anambra Traditional Rulers Council on the controversy surrounding suspension of Ezeani.

“The highly respected Igwe Achebe is patriotic, selfless and always stands for what is fair and just; hence the inevitable need to implement his wise counsel to restore peace, people’s trust and confidence in Soludo’s administration and dignity of the traditional rulers and institutions.

“Pertinently, his view is in tandem with position of CLO and other well meaning citizens which earlier urged Gov. Soludo to rescind his decision, in order not to give credence to some school of thought that the action is politically motivated.

“This is very sensitive issue as power is transient, it will be a bad precedent and omen for the state, if it is not rectified,” he said.

The CLO boss also reiterated his earlier appeal to Gov. Soludo to withdraw the suspension and restore all the chieftaincy tittles already bestowed on Sen. Ifeanyi Uba, which some other traditional rulers had withdrawn.

He said that towing this line would be a clear indication that Anambra people were truly the light of the nation and their brothers’ keepers.

“His Excellency should also counsel his political appointees to always toe the part of civility, humility, patriotism, decorum and interest of the state while discharging their constitutional duties.

“It is no exaggeration but existential reality some actions of His Excellency’s political appointees hinder, instead of enhance actualisation of laudable policies and programmes of your administration.

We equally commend Igwe Alfred Achebe for his steadfastness, patriotism and selfless sacrifices, not only to restore peace and normalcy in state, but also to restore the dignity, prestige and respect for traditional institutions in the state and beyond.” (NAN)

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