Three traditional rulers who conferred chieftaincy titles on Senator Ifeanyi Ubah have withdrawn the honours.

It was learnt that the government compelled the monarchs to take the action, thus worsening the face-off between the governor and the monarchs.

The feud between the governor and the monarchs, The Nation gathered, began when Ubah defected from the Young Progressive Party (YPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) last year.

The senator’s move, it was further learnt, might not unconnected with his preparation to contest next year’s governorship election in Anambra State on the platform of the APC against Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

During the Yuletide, Ubah, noted to be a strong politician with grassroots acceptability, was bestowed with chieftaincy titles by different traditional rulers across the state.

The monarchs are: Igwe F. E. Ebelendu of Aguluezechukwu in Aguata Local Government Area; Igwe Damian Ezeani of Neni in Anaocha Local Government Area; and Igwe Gerald Obunadike Mbamalu of Ojoto in Idemili South Local Government Area.

The traditional rulers conferred on the senator the titles of Ikemba Ojoto (Strength of Community), Odenjiinji Neni (Warrior of Neni Community), and Dike Eji Eje Ogu (War Lord).

Soludo reportedly became jittery by Ubah’s growing influence and swiftly moved to sanction the traditional rulers who bestowed the titles on the senator.

The governor first suspended the “erring” traditional rulers, citing negligence of due process in awarding chieftaincy titles, as contained in the state’s Traditional Rulers’ Council law.

But the monarchs involved, on Tuesday night, tendered apologies to the governor and withdrew the titles from the senator.

A statement in Awka, the state capital, by the Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Christian Aburime, reads: “The monarchs have respectively apologised to the Anambra State government and withdrawn and cancelled the phantom chieftaincy titles conferred on Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, as it contravenes the State Traditional Rulers’ law.

“This action by the three traditional rulers was in direct contravention of the State Traditional Rulers’ Code, which outlines the rules and regulations regarding the granting and revocation of chieftaincy titles.

“Consequently, the titles of Ikemba Ojoto, Odenjiinji Neni, and Dike Eji Eje Ogu earlier bestowed on Senator Ifeanyi Ubah have been withdrawn and cancelled by the three Igwes.

“This was contained in their respective letters of apology to the state government, which also confirmed the withdrawal and cancellation of the chieftaincy titles which they variously described as nullity.” (The Nation)

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