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
