A Labour Party group, the Forum of Labour Party State House of Assembly Candidates in Anambra State, has criticized Governor Chukwuma Soludo for suspending traditional monarchs and allegedly setting ablaze the properties of street traders in the state. The group, in a statement signed by its Coordinator, Mr. OCN Okafor, expressed strong condemnation of these actions, describing them as “barbaric, inhuman, and wicked.”
According to the statement, the group specifically cited the suspension of the Traditional Ruler of Neni community, Igwe Damian O. Ezeani, for conferring a chieftaincy title on a serving Senator, as well as the destruction of goods and wares of street hawkers in Awka. The group accused the state government of traumatizing the people of Anambra with such actions.
While the Labour Party group clarified that it does not encourage lawlessness, it argued that, based on its investigations, there was no existing law or code of conduct prohibiting traditional rulers in Anambra State from conferring chieftaincy titles on non-indigenes. The group also expressed concern about the alleged use of force, intimidation, and destruction of property against street traders, stating that if any laws were violated, peaceful measures could have been taken to address the situation.
The group called on the state government to pay compensation to those whose goods were destroyed within 21 days, threatening legal action if such compensation was not provided. The statement also commended the Chairman of Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Dr. Nnaemeka Achebe, and House of Representatives member Prof. Lilian Orogbu for speaking out against the alleged intimidations and acts by the Anambra State Government.
As of the time of reporting, the Press Secretary to Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Christian Aburime, had not responded to calls or texts seeking comment on the matter.