By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Onitsha Traditional Council has refuted the claims that His Majesty, Nnaemeka Achebe, CFR, mni, Obi of Onitsha (Agbogidi), has been elected as the Chairman of the South East Council of Traditional Rulers (SECTR), clarifying that the leadership of the Council remains unchanged.
The clarification follows the current recirculation of a video from a town hall meeting of the Onitsha indigenous community held on February 27, 2024, accompanied by misleading news reports alleging that Igwe Achebe had been elected as the Chairman of the South East Council of Traditional Rulers (SECTR). This is coming few weeks after Governor Chukwuma Soludo appointed H.R.H Igwe Chidubem Iweka of Obosi as the Chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council —a position previously occupied by Igwe Achebe.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, March 4, the Chief of Staff to the Obi of Onitsha, Chief Osita Anionwu, while debunking the misleading reports, explained that the SECTR operates on a rotational system where its Chairmanship and other offices automatically rotate alphabetically every two years among the five states of the South East.
Mr. Anionwu also noted that it is Imo State that currently holds the Chairmanship position at the moment, with His Majesty, Eze Dr. E. C. Okeke, CFR, Ezeude II of Amaifeke, serving as the chairman.
Although he also hinted that Obi of Onitsha was designated as the leader of the traditional institution in the South East during the SECTR delegates’ meeting held long time ago in May 2023, he, however clarified that this position does not come with executive powers or administrative duties.
While acknowledging the numerous congratulatory messages Igwe Achebe has received since the false report started trending, the Chief of Staff emphasized that no new election has taken place and urged the public to disregard the misinformation.
He also reassured the public of Igwe Achebe’s continued commitment to the unity and progress of the South East traditional institution while also reaffirming his support for the current leadership of SECTR.
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