Soludo Snubs Ofala Festival as Rift with Obi of Onitsha Intensifies

Tensions between Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, and the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, have escalated, following the governor’s decision to skip the 2024 edition of the annual Onitsha Ofala Festival, an event he has attended in the past.

Governor Soludo, who had previously pledged to collaborate with the Obi to promote the festival, was noticeably absent from the celebration on Friday. This development is seen as a further deepening of the rift between the two prominent figures. The fallout stems from Soludo’s controversial suspension of Igwe Damian Ezeani of Neni, who had conferred a traditional title on the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah. Ubah, before his death in July, was reportedly gearing up to challenge Soludo’s bid for re-election.

The suspension of Igwe Ezeani and two other traditional rulers, an action taken by the Anambra State government, reportedly angered the Obi of Onitsha, who also serves as the Chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council (ASTRC). In an open letter, Obi Achebe criticized Soludo’s approach to handling traditional matters, accusing the governor of disrespecting the state’s traditional institutions.

During his address at the Ofala Festival, Obi Achebe again voiced his displeasure with the governor, stating that Soludo’s actions were undermining the traditional leadership in Anambra. He pointed out that, while other states were working to strengthen the role of traditional rulers, Anambra’s institutions were being diminished under the current administration.

Achebe also expressed shock over the dissolution of the ASTRC, the body he leads, which he described as now being labeled an illegal entity by the state government. “This is most unfortunate at a time when other states, as well as the Federal Government and the National Assembly, are seriously seeking ways to enhance the relevance of the traditional institution in the country,” he said.

He further lamented the council’s inability to meet since March 2024, which, he argued, has hindered their capacity to discuss vital issues affecting the state and engage in national and sub-national matters.

In a public letter dated January 12, 2024, addressed to the Anambra State Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Community Affairs, Obi Achebe had protested the suspension of Igwe Ezeani and the demands made of two other traditional rulers. According to Achebe, these actions, which were communicated via social media, contributed to the suspension of the ASTRC’s meetings, with the government claiming the council had suddenly become illegal.