The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, has been appointed Chairman of the South-East Traditional Rulers’ Council, just two months after his removal as Chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council by Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
In a viral video, Achebe described his new appointment as “not a mean feat”.
He downplayed his removal by the Anambra State Government, calling it a “relief or burden removed”.
Speaking in Igbo, Achebe said, “Don’t mind what happened in Awka. That was a burden they removed for us.”
“Each time one visits Awka, one receives insults from people who are not even worthy of serving one.”
“Today, the whole Igbo nation has agreed and nominated the Eze Onitsha as their chairman, not me personally as Nnaemeka Achebe, but the Eze Onitsha.
“What that means is that whoever holds the position of Eze Onitsha will assume the role.”
The development has sparked interest, given Achebe’s history of friction with Soludo.
The two had clashed over the dethronement of two traditional rulers in the state who had bestowed chieftain titles on the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who was then vying for the Anambra State governorship on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC)
Achebe had described the dethronement of the monarchs as an affront and disrespect to the traditional institution.
The government later reinstated the monarchs, cautioning them against similar actions in the future.
Since then, a frosty relationship has existed between the Anambra State Government and Igwe Achebe, as well as the traditional institution at large.
Achebe’s reputation as a respected traditional ruler makes his appointment significant.
With a long history of leadership and community service, Achebe has been on the throne since 2002.
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