Umeje Community Asks Governor Obiano To Immediately Sack Traditional Ruler

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Umueje community in Ayamelum Local Government Area of Anambra State has asked Governor Willie Obiano of the state to immediately suspend and withdraw the certificate of recognition of their traditional ruler, Igwe Elias Nneli, for failure to subscribe to the code of conduct of traditional institution in the state.

The request was contained in a joint resolution by the Umueje Council of Elders and Youths submitted to the governor, through his Special Adviser on Chieftaincy Matters, Chief Udemgba Reuben, during their protest at Government House Awka, recently.

The protesters who said the community had already dethroned Igwe Nneli and therefore asked the governor to affirm the dethronement as a matter of urgency by suspending the traditional ruler in the overall interest of peace, order and good governance, emphasising that the traditional ruler was not resident in the community for the past 10 years.

The resolution titled, “Demand for Immediate Suspension and Withdrawal of Recognition of Igwe Nneli”, was signed by the Heads of four villages that make up Umueje and the Deputy Chairman of Umeje youths, Livinus Emengini.

It reads: “In view of the foregoing the Council of Elders and the youths of Umueje community have dethroned him as the traditional ruler of Umueje and we therefore pray His Excellency, the Governor of Anambra State to as a matter of urgency to suspend and withdraw his certificate of recognition”, the community said.

Spokesman for the protesters, Edogor Nosa, said the community was tired of the misconduct of the traditional ruler, who he said in several occasions carried himself in a manner unbecoming of his office as the traditional ruler of Umueje.

He accused the Igwe of selling their land indiscriminately to outsiders and neighbouring communities and each time they protested, he would take them to police where they were detained for several days.

Nosa noted that peace and development have eluded the community because the Igwe who was supposed to be settling matters was the one who always take his subjects to police and in turn detained them.

The placard-carrying protesters, who included aged and titled men, women and youths, asked Governor Obiano to come to their rescue by out rightly removing the traditional ruler because they were tired of him.

In his response, Udemgba asked the protesters to ensure peace in their community even as the governor looks into their demand, if they want dividend of democracy, since development cannot thrive in crisis situation.

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