A coalition of civil society organizations under the umbrella of the Coalition of Human Rights and Justice Defenders has fiercely condemned Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo for what it describes as a "systematic war" against the revered traditional institution in Anambra State.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Wednesday, the group spokesman Comrade Anayo Uba accused the Soludo administration of showing blatant disrespect and disregard for traditional rulers, eroding the cultural heritage and autonomy of Igbo kingship in the state.
"The actions of Governor Soludo amount to a deliberate assault on our sacred traditional institutions," the statement read. "His administration has engaged in acts of intimidation, humiliation, and arbitrary sanctions against monarchs who dare to exercise their customary rights, turning the government into an instrument of dictatorship rather than partnership."
The coalition highlighted several specific instances of alleged misconduct:
-A sustained calumny campaign against His Imperial Majesty Obi Austin Ndigwe, MON, JP, Ezeuzu of Awka, including public denials of his authority and recent disowning of chieftaincy titles conferred under his auspices, despite ongoing disputes.
- The controversial removal of the highly respected Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, as Chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council in 2025, following years of tension, which the group claims was punitive for the monarch's opposition to perceived dictatorial tendencies.
- The 2024 suspension of Igwe Damian Ezeani of Neni and other traditional rulers for conferring chieftaincy titles on the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, an action widely criticized at the time as politically motivated and dehumanizing, even though later reversed amid public outcry.
"These are not isolated incidents but a pattern of authoritarian overreach," the coalition declared. "Governor Soludo's government treats our royal fathers as subordinates rather than custodians of our culture and partners in governance. This erosion of respect threatens the very fabric of Anambra society and sets a dangerous precedent for subnational tyranny."
The group warned that continued attacks on the traditional institution could lead to deeper societal divisions and loss of public trust in the administration.
"We call on Governor Soludo to immediately cease these provocative actions, restore dignity to the traditional rulers council, and engage in genuine dialogue with our monarchs. Failure to do so will provoke widespread resistance from civil society and the people of Anambra."
The Coalition of Human Rights and Justice Defenders comprises various human rights advocates, pro-democracy groups, and cultural preservation organizations committed to upholding justice, equity, and cultural integrity in Nigeria.
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