A stakeholder in Oba Palace, Anambra State, has again refuted the claims in some media that Gov Chukwuma Soludo had threatened to arrest Engr Emelobe, who emerged as the Igwe of Oba, and Eze Okpoko.
The stakeholder, who preferred anonymity due to the sensitive nature of his office, said the Anambra State Government has no business in the selection of a traditional monarch for communities in the state.
He clarified that the only assignment the state undertakes in the matter is to, through the Ministry of Local Government Affairs, monitor the electoral process to ensure compliance with the by-laws of the state and the constitution of the town union.
He was specifically responding to a news report where Chief Sir Njubigbo claimed that he was part of the election. The Palace official described Njubigbo’s position as quite Laughable, as he was not even a part of the election, having been disqualified by the screening committee in July.
According to him, “It is quite laughable to see how they flooded the internet with half-truths and lies by claiming that the governor made a direct threat to arrest anyone parading himself as the Igwe.
“Isn’t it strange that the governor suddenly begins to take an interest in the local politics of the Oba people to the extent of desiring to arrest the traditional ruler chosen by the people themselves? Truth is, the governor has no such interest and is focused on the development of Anambra State and its people, not the small traditional politics.
“Those news reports you saw were planted by the disgruntled elements who were desirous of ruling over the Oba community. But they forgot that the election result is decided by the voters, and Engr Emelobe is the one the people want as their Igwe. The voice of the people is the voice of God and what is left for the state government now is to recognize the choice of Oba people after he is presented to the Government. They will also issue him a certificate and a staff of office as an Igwe.
“The claims that the Electoral Committee wasn’t fair to the contestants is untrue and does not reflect what happened.
“In the first place, Chief Sir Njubigbo, who initially contested for the position of Igwe, has no locus stand to speak on the elections at all because he was disqualified as far back as on 12 July 2024 by the election/selection committee”, he clarified.
According to a letter made available to journalists, the committee wrote to the president of Aboji Village, informing him that Njubigbo stands disqualified, having failed to meet the 16 requirements stipulated in the constitution.
The letter read in part,
“The Igwe and Ezeokpoko selection/election Committee, after the screening of the four candidates from Urueze, Isu, Okuzu and Aboji villages, your candidate Sir Godwin Njubigbo who contested for the Igwe and Ezeokpoko II failed to satisfy the 16 criteria as stipulated in the constitution and thereby stands disqualified and Aboji Village is hereby advised to give OPU a replacement within the next 21 days of this notification according to Chapter V, Section 5, Subsection XI and XII of our constitution. Please note that OPU should be informed of your primary election seven (7) days before the date within the 21 days slated, which will elapse on the 2nd August 2024”.
At the end of all the screenings, only two persons were left to contest, Barr Vincent Chuma Ananti and Engr Chiedu Emelobe, who later emerged winner.
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