The Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has appointed Igwe Chidubem Iweka, the Traditional Ruler of Obosi, as the new Chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council (ASTRC), replacing the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe. The announcement was made during the launch of the “Operation Udo ga-achị” security initiative at the International Convention Centre, Awka.
This development has raised eyebrows as Igwe Achebe was notably absent from the event, sparking speculation that his exclusion was deliberate. Critics suggest the move is part of a long-standing vendetta against the Obi of Onitsha, a claim bolstered by past actions of the Soludo administration.
It will be recalled that in 2024, Governor Soludo dissolved the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, declaring it illegal and unlawfully constituted under Igwe Achebe’s leadership. The dissolution came shortly after Igwe Achebe, as chairman of the council, addressed an open letter to the governor. The letter criticized what the Obi of Onitsha described as the “excesses” of the state government, particularly regarding the dismissal of the Traditional Ruler of Neni.
The 2024 dissolution effectively removed Igwe Achebe from his position, and no timeframe was provided for the reconstitution of the council. This decision was widely viewed as a retaliatory move, with critics accusing Governor Soludo of humiliating Anambra’s traditional rulers.
Public policy analyst Pope Amaefuna described the governor’s actions at the time as “vindictive and senseless”, further stating that it was indicative of a “ruinous disposition” towards traditional institutions in the state.
With this new appointment, Igwe Iweka takes the helm of a council that has been mired in controversy since its dissolution. While Governor Soludo has defended the decision as part of his efforts to restructure and strengthen the council under the provisions of the new Anambra Traditional Rulers Council Law, critics argue that it underscores a pattern of disrespect towards traditional authorities.
The timing and manner of Igwe Achebe’s replacement continue to fuel speculation about the governor’s motives. Observers believe this marks another chapter in a strained relationship between the state government and Anambra’s monarchs, particularly the Obi of Onitsha, who remains one of the most revered traditional rulers in the Southeast.
As the newly appointed chairman, Igwe Iweka faces the challenge of navigating a council still reeling from the aftermath of its 2024 dissolution. Many will watch closely to see how this leadership change impacts the relationship between the state government and Anambra’s traditional rulers, as well as the execution of initiatives like “Operation Udo ga-achị”.
The debate over Governor Soludo’s handling of traditional institutions is far from over, and with elections on the horizon, this development is likely to remain a focal point of political discourse in the state.The timing and manner of Igwe Achebe’s replacement continue to fuel speculation about the governor’s motives. Observers believe this marks another chapter in a strained relationship between the state government and Anambra’s monarchs, particularly the Obi of Onitsha, who remains one of the most revered traditional rulers in the Southeast.
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