Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano has lifted the ban on the suspension of three traditional state leaders.
The three traditional rulers were among 12 suspended in September this year for allegedly traveling out of their domain in Abuja, without seeking permission to do so.
The monarchs had joined billionaire oil tycoon Arthur Eze on a trip to Abuja to visit President Muhammadu Buhari.
Obiano, who was then in conflict with the Eze for accusing him of bypassing the monarchs in the state, brought the hammer down on the monarchs for what many believed to be insubordination towards him by the monarchs.
But in a statement signed by the commissioner in charge of local government and chiefdom matters, Mr. Greg. Obi, as of December 31, 2020, the governor lifted the one-year suspension against three of the traditional rulers involved.
Commissioner Obi wrote: “His Excellency Governor Willie Obiano, in an act of New Year’s magnanimity, has decided to lift the suspension of three traditional rulers.
“The affected Igwes are: Igwe NN. Kelly Nkeli – Igbariam, Igwe Dr. Emeka Ilouno – Ifitedunu, Igwe Peter Uyanwa – Ukwulu. “
The declaration further states that the lifting of the ban takes effect immediately.
The state government has already announced the withdrawal of some of the traditional leaders who have embarked on the trip, including Igwe Chijioke Nwankwo from the community of Nawfia, who has also taken legal action to challenge his withdrawal.
Nwankwo in a recent interview with DAILY POST said that the governor did not have the power to remove him because he did not offend neither the culture nor the people, two reasons he said were stipulated in the traditional rulers acting as reasons for which any monarch could be dismissed.
Nwankwo urged the state government to reinstate him immediately.
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