Obiano doesnt impose monarchs on communities

By Emma Elekwa, OnitshaThe Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters in Anambra state, Chief Greg Obi has refuted report accusing Governor Willie Obiano of imposing traditional rulers or town union leaders on the various communities in the state.He said the governor does not interfere with the selection or election of community leaders; stressing that it was the communities prerogatives to elect and present consensus candidates for governments ratification.Speaking with newsmen on Friday, the Commissioner disclosed that the current administration had successfully approved certification of fifty traditional rulers of various communities devoid of rancour or acrimony.He added that Obiano had handled more sensitive stool tussles than his predecessors, including those he inherited, attributing the strides to the simplicity and due process that characterised the exercises.He said: The government cannot impose traditional ruler on any community; we follow the constitution and we respect the wishes of the people. Sometimes political opposition skews the news to suit their whims and caprices.It is on record that the government of Willie Obiano has certificated more traditional rulers in the state than any other administration since the inception of the state.As a matter of fact, he has certificated more than his predecessors because we simplified the process. If one meets the criteria for becoming an Igwe, nothing else was done but to certify the individual.One of the criteria is the constitution of the community as it concerned the production of the monarch. When it is clear to us that the person is the choice of the people, following the constitution, then you get your certificate.Obi however regretted that the processes, in some cases, were tied up in court, but added that, when that happens, we respect the wishes of the court because the judiciary is an equal separate arm of the government.It was only last year that the government untangled the igweship tussle of Umudioka in Dunukofia Local Government which began since 2007 under Peter Obis administration.The State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice will issue a legal opinion on the case of Awa community in the Orumba-North Local Government area because of the legal ramifications involved in the case to enable government to proceed further, he added.
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