Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano has suspended 12 monarchs for visiting President Muhammadu Buhari last week.
Mr Greg Obi, the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs made the announcement in a statement on Thursday.
According to the statement, the 12 monarchs were suspended for one year because they travelled out of the state without the permission of the government.
The monarchs are Alex Edozieuno (Mkpunando); Mark Anthony Okonkwo (Alor); Chukuwma Orji (Ezinifite); G.B. Mbakwe (Abacha); Chijioke Nwankwo (Nawfia) and Nkeli Nelly (Igbariam).
Others are Anthony Onyekwere (Owelle); A. N Onwuneme (Ikenga); Simon Chidubem (Umumbo); S. O Uche (Ezira); Emeka Ilouno (Ifitedunu) and Peter Udoji (Eziagulu Otu).
Governor Obiano revoked their Traditional Rulers’ Council membership and their appointments in government committees were cancelled.
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According to the statement, their suspension may be lifted at the end of one year, renewed or upgraded depending on government’s review of their conduct.
“During the sanction period, you are required to stop holding yourselves out as traditional rulers and to cease from discharging traditional rulers’ functions in your communities or elsewhere in the state and beyond” the statement read.
Following their suspension, 3 out of the 12 suspended rulers described Obiano’s action as unfortunate. They noted that the governor has no power to prohibit them from visiting the President.
They said: “It’s laughable that our governor had to carry out this despotic action in a democratic dispensation. Why should a governor punish his subjects, especially rulers, for trying to see their President?
“The government said we didn’t get clearance before travelling outside the state. Don’t we have our fundamental rights of movement and association anymore? Are we in a state of emergency or war?
“We pray Obiano will not attract some kind of wrath upon himself because of his desperation to perpetuate the infamous government of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the state.
“Though we are traditional rulers, we have the right to support any party or candidate of our choice.”
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