Soludo skips 2024 Ofala Festival amid growing rift with Obi of Onitsha

The ongoing dispute between Anambra State Governor, Professor Charles Soludo, and the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, has intensified, with the governor opting to miss the 2024 Ofala Festival.

Traditionally a prominent attendee, Soludo was absent from this year’s edition on Friday, marking a shift from his participation in 2023, where he had pledged collaboration with the monarch to promote the annual cultural event.

However, tensions between the two arose following the suspension of Igwe Ezeani of Neni, a traditional ruler who conferred a title on the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.

READ ALSO :APGA moves to suspend Gov Soludo over alleged anti-party activities

Ubah had been poised to challenge Soludo’s reelection before his death in September.

The suspension, which also affected two other rulers, angered Igwe Achebe, who chairs the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council (ASTRC).

In an open letter, Achebe criticized Soludo for his handling of traditional affairs, accusing him of disrespecting the state’s monarchs and diminishing their significance.

Following the fallout, Soludo attempted to mend the relationship by hosting a meeting at the Governor’s Lodge in Amawbia, Awka South Local Government Area, but the effort did little to resolve the discord.

During his address at the Ofala Festival, Igwe Achebe expressed disappointment, stating, “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.”

Achebe further revealed that the ASTRC had been unexpectedly dissolved by the state government and branded an illegal organization. He lamented the council’s inability to gather and deliberate on critical issues affecting the state, saying, “The suspension of our meetings since March 2024 has left the traditional institution without a mandate to participate in national or sub-national matters.”

Providing further context, Achebe recounted his earlier efforts to address the crisis: “On January 12, 2024, I wrote a public letter to the Honourable Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Community Affairs, seeking clarification on the suspension of the Neni ruler and demanding apologies from two other monarchs. Unfortunately, the ministry chose to communicate these decisions via social media, which sparked widespread controversy.”

As of now, Governor Soludo has not responded to the monarch’s latest remarks.