The administration of Abia state governor Theodore Orji has announced the suspension of five traditional rulers in the state on a trumped up charge of engaging in anti-government activities. A statement issued by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Engr. Emma Nwabuka, stated that the monarchs "anti-government postures" "are likely to cause a breach of peace and security" in their domains.


"Consequently to avoid further breakdown of law and order, government is constrained to suspend the following traditional rulers from office forth," the statement added.

The list of the suspended monarchs includes Eze Nelson Emerengwa, Ezeukwu 1 of Isiekenta Autonomous Community and Eze N.N.Nwachukwu, the Eze Oha 2 of Ovungvu  Autonomous Community.

Others are Eze Peter Emereonye, Eze Udo 1 of Okporoahaba Autonomous Community, Eze Sampson Jinanwa Isa 1 of Amaise Ovungwu Autonomous Community, all in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area. The fifth monarch is Eze Gbufor Johnson, Igwe 1 of Ariam Usaka Autonomous Community in Ikwuano Local Government Area. By this suspension, the governor has again demonstrated his trademark of insensitivity and intolerance for divergent political views.

Obviously, the reasons adduced by the commissioner for the suspension of the hapless monarchs are a concealment of the true reason, which is a brazen show of rascality and government’s detestation of the monarchs’ massive support for the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Dr. Alex Otti.

It is unfortunate that a democratically elected governor, who is serving out his second tenure, could be so reprehensible, dastardly and intolerant of opposing views, apparently because of his desperation to muscle up opposition and ensure that his surrogate, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, wins the April 11 governorship election.

TA Orji has not pretended about his poise to deal with any traditional ruler found to be supporting any opposition candidate, particularly the APGA governorship candidate, who has defied all obstacles to stop him by the government.

Initially, when his bestial and barbaric approach of mutilating and destroying Otti’s posters and billboards as well as propaganda and cheap blackmail failed to stop Otti’s rising popularity and acceptance by the citizenry, the government resorted to intimidation and harassment of Otti’s supporters and APGA faithful.

Orji is a PDP senatorial candidate for Abia Central District but he is not campaigning for votes, apparently because he has no programme. He feels he has conquered his area so he busies himself campaigning for Ikpeazu, who he and his rascally son, Chinedu, handpicked and imposed on PDP.

TA Orji should be told in plain terms that he is Ikpeazu’s albatross because of his lack of integrity. And no amount of intimidation, harassment and suspension of traditional rulers would make him win this election for his stooge. He should know that Abians are wiser and have vowed to resist God-fatherism and the imposition of candidates. We are waiting to disgrace him and his puppet at the polls.