Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo has cancelled an election purportedly held by Oba community in Idemili South Local Government Area to elect a traditional ruler.
The community had held the election to replace its demised monarch, Igwe PC Ezenwa. The election was said to have held on Saturday, but in violation of a matter that is still being determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, which was instituted by some interested persons in the matter.
The commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Matters, TonyCollins Nwabunwanne, who disclosed this to journalists on behalf of the governor in his office, said anyone found claiming to have been elected from the purported election, and found parading himself as the monarch of Oba community or as a monarch-elect, will be arrested.
Nwabunwanne said: “It is Christmas again, and our people have started coming home for the Yuletide. This is the time when many communities organize events and give out chieftaincy titles, and also hold elections to choose their Presidents General and traditional rulers.
“But we are using this opportunity to tell the leaders of communities that there are established guidelines by the state for the conferment of chieftaincy titles, and also election of presidents general and traditional rulers.
“This is for us to have control and harmony in the state. This government have said communities can choose who they feel to be their kings or PG, but they must follow the laid down guidelines of the state and also the constitution of the various communities.”
The commissioner said as a way of ensuring this, all communities in the state must submit their constitutions to the Ministry, so that officials will ensure that every election conducted follows the law made by the community itself.
On why the government cancelled the election of an Igwe in Oba community, Nwabunwanne said one of the candidates for the position was disqualified for not being able to speak fluently, whereas the constitution simply stipulated that the candidates must be able to read and write.
“So, for this we initiated a process which is that every community must submit their constitution to us. So that when they want to conduct elections or selections, we supervise the process and ensure peace to ensure a seamless transition.
“In the case at hand is Oba, we as a govt we are trying to be neutral and disabuse our minds of such things as being biased. Parties are still on court, so you can not go and hold elect.
“The election has been annulled and anyone parading himself as the traditional ruler of traditional ruler-elect will be arrested and we have told all the security agencies.”
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