Obiano removed me for supporting Buhari – Anambra monarch claims

The traditional ruler of Ukwulu Kingdom in Dunukofia Local Government of Anambra State, Igwe Peter Uyanwa, has accused the state governor, Chief Willie Obiano of removing him because of his support for President Muhammadu Buhari.

Uyanwa was on Monday suspended for one year, both as the traditional ruler of the community and as chairman of Anambra Central Traditional Rulers Council by the state government.

But, the monarch, who addressed journalists in his palace yesterday, said the governor cannot remove him, and that the best he could do was keep back his certificate, which he said had to importance in how he ruled his people.

He said, “Obiano is against me because all traditional rulers came to my palace and joined Prince Arthur Eze to commend the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

“If what we said about Buhari is what makes me a rebel, I will repeat it 100 times and we will never cease to thank him (Buhari) for what he is doing in our state, Anambra and the entire South East.

“There is the Enugu International airport, second Niger bridge, Enugu – Onitsha Expressway and very many more projects.

“I remain the traditional ruler of this community and no one can remove me. I give respect to whom respect is due. If I talk I will die and if I don’t talk I will die, so it is better to talk and die.

“We shall soon be going to see Mr President. We thank Arthur Eze who will be leading us to the president. Arthur Eze has done what the governor could not do. He even held a meeting with us and the Miyetti Allah leaders and told us to always come to him if cattle rearers destroy crops in communities, that he is ready to pay, instead of farmers having clashes with herders.

“To Obiano, I can only ask him to keep his certificate, I do not need it you do not need certificate to lead the people of Ukwulu.”

Traditional rulers of various communities in Anambra who were at the palace to give solidarity to the monarch blamed the governor for meddling in the affairs of the traditional institution.

Monarch of Nawfia community, Igwe Chijioke Nwankwo said, “We have nothing against Obiano. He is our brother and our son. If Igwe Uyanwa has done anything wrong, we the monarchs of the state should be told so, after all we all were in the meeting where Arthur Eze spoke to.”

The monarch of Abagana, Mbamalu Okeke said, “Arthur Eze spoke to us about zoning. But If you say only Anambra south will contest governorship, then they need to come for negotiation with other zones.

“Obiano is meddling in things that don’t concern him. The traditional institution is older than the government, and not even the governor can do otherwise. We can not be under the commissioner.

Those who are in authority must show maturity. Anambra is one and the governor should not cause division in the state. After all, his party APGA ( All Progressives Grand Alliance) is not the only party in the state. Obiano should go and intimidate his workers, not traditional rulers.”

Prince Arthur Eze who attended the briefing while addressing the monarchs said, “Obiano is fighting a battle he can not win. We are the people who make governors, so governors can not dictate to us what to do.

“I have been in an around government since 1970, and within that period I have made many governors in Nigeria.

“Since Obiano is not ready to pay you people (traditional rulers), I shall be giving N200,000 to all monarchs every month. I shall also give N10m to former LGA chair to pursue their matter in court, against the governor.

“As for you traditional rulers, your matter is settled because I have reached President Buhari, and he is willing to meet with you people.”