Soludo Meets Ozo Awka Society, Says Anyone Parading as a Second Traditional Ruler Will Go to Jail

The Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Soludo, has warned that anyone parading himself as a second traditional ruler in any community in the state will face imprisonment.

According to the governor, the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Law stipulates that any person who parades himself as a second traditional ruler in a community is liable to jail.

In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Christian Aburime , Soludo gave the warning while meeting with members of the Ozo Awka Society on Friday.

The governor stated that the long-standing traditional leadership tussle and town union crises had continued to plague the Awka community. 

According to him, despite having the “easy choice” of ignoring the situation, he felt a duty to intervene.

Addressing the controversy surrounding Chief Austine Ndigwe, whom he described as a “friend,” Soludo said the rule of law must take a firm position.

He explained that the state’s Commission of Enquiry found that Obi Gibson Nwosu was never dethroned and that Ndigwe was never legally enthroned.

“According to the state traditional rulers law, if you parade yourself as a second traditional ruler in a community, you go to jail,” Soludo warned.

The governor noted that the crisis, which allegedly stemmed from burial rites and zoning disputes, had become “egocentric.”

He pointed out that the community’s constitution stipulates that it is the turn of Nkwelle village to produce the next ruler in line with the zoning arrangement, but the process was disregarded.

Governor Soludo challenged the Ozo titleholders, who are traditionally known for speaking the truth, to demonstrate leadership and uphold justice in the community.

Drawing parallels with his success in resolving a 20-year crisis in his hometown of Isuofia, the governor urged Awka professionals and stakeholders to project the city positively.

He further called on the people of Awka to build a grand central palace for the Eze Uzu Awka, similar to those in Onitsha and Ile-Ife.

Soludo pledged that the state government would contribute towards the construction of the palace, with the aim of completing it within one year.

With the Traditional Imo Awka Festival approaching, the governor stressed the need for a unified date for the celebration. However, he clarified that the event scheduled for May 23, 2026, could not hold due to a conflicting statewide event that would equally require security deployment.

“Government will bring law and order, but Awka people will bring lasting peace,” Soludo added.

The governor also called on the people of Awka to embrace their status as citizens of a 21st-century cosmopolitan city, declaring that his administration is “very intentional” about making the state capital a premier destination.

According to him, Awka occupies a special place in both his heart and the state’s developmental agenda.

He highlighted his administration’s commitment to infrastructure development, noting that he had broken a 34-year “jinx” by constructing a befitting Government House and Lodge in the state capital.

“I am the governor who decided to make Awka a true state capital in the real sense of it,” 

“When I campaigned, I promised to live in Awka, and today you are within the Light House, which consists of 57 buildings. We built the Solution Fun City because we want Awka to become a destination.”Soludo stated.

The governor urged the “giant” of Awka to awaken and take its rightful place among leading cities in the country.

He lamented that despite its enormous potential, the city had been “punching below its weight.”

“My only interest is for the betterment of Anambra and for Awka to regain its lost glory. The duty of leadership is to do the uncomfortable thing, sometimes even to save the people from themselves,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the society, Sir Chukwujekwu Eze acknowledged the governor’s position and assured him that members would return home, consult widely, and take the necessary actions, especially regarding the proposed change of date for the traditional festival.

 He added that they would subsequently communicate their resolutions to the state government in writing.

Also present at the meeting were the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Chiamaka Nnake; the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr. Ben Nwankwo; the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN; the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority, Dr. Ossy Onuko; the President-General of Awka, Chief Fred Chinwuba; the Prime Minister of Awka; and other stakeholders.