By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Anambra State Government has dismissed as false and mischievous, social media reports alleging that Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, through the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Community Affairs, Hon. Tonycollins Nwabunwanne, ordered traditional rulers and President-Generals in the state not to attend the burial of the stepmother of APC governorship candidate, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, in Osumenyi, Nnewi South Local Government Area.
The clarification is coming is reaction to a social media post that recently spread across the media space, alleging that the State Government had ordered all the Traditional Rulers and the Presidents-General in the state to boycot the burial ceremony of Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu’s step-mother holding on Thursday at Osumenyi.
Captioned: “Breaking News! Prof. Soludo – Anambra Is Not North Korea,” the post read in part:
“Information reaching AIF Media reveals a dangerous trend that must never be allowed to continue.
“Prof. Soludo, through his Commissioner for LG, has ordered ndi Igwe, all traditional rulers and the President Generals in the state to boycot the burial ceremony of Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu’s step-mother holding today at Osumenyi.
“The APC governorship candidate is having a burial ceremony of the late step mother today in which he extended invitations to most of ndi igwe and PGs.
“But sadly, the Commissioner for LG has threatened them and ordered that they boycott the event.
“He threatened to sack any of the traditional ruler or PG who attends the event.
“This is unacceptable, and must be condemned by all lovers of democracy. Prof. Soludo should not turn Anambra to a North Korea where rights of citizens cum freedom of association are determined by govt.
“This has shown that Soludo is afraid of November 8th. He no longer feels safe and sadly do not know those who are still with him. The threats to Ndị Igwe and PGs should not deter them in joining forces with the APC candidate to vote this incompetent administration out on November 8th.”
However, speaking in an exclusive interview with this reporter on Thursday, Commissioner Nwabunwanne described the allegation as unfounded, mischievous, and politically motivated, insisting that no such directive ever emanated from him, his office, or the state government.
“There is absolutely nothing like that. I never issued any order stopping anybody from attending any burial. In fact, I was not even aware of the said burial ceremony until I started reading those concocted stories online,” the Commissioner clarified.
He dismissed the claim as another example of deliberate propaganda designed to discredit the Soludo administration and mislead the public. According to him, such rumours are usually sponsored by individuals or groups seeking to score cheap political points or tarnish the image of the state government for selfish reasons.
“It is quite unfortunate that some people would go to such lengths to manufacture lies just to achieve their political aims. Our administration is focused on governance and delivering development to Ndi Anambra, not on petty distractions,” he stated.
Commissioner Nwabunwanne reaffirmed the Soludo government’s respect for the autonomy and dignity of traditional institutions in Anambra, stressing that neither the Governor nor his office interferes in the personal or social engagements of traditional rulers or community leaders.
He further urged Ndi Anambra and members of the public to disregard such fabrications, remain vigilant against fake news, and always verify sensitive information from credible sources before believing or circulating them.
The Commissioner reassured that Governor Soludo remains committed to building a liveable and prosperous Anambra, and will not be distracted by petty and baseless allegations intended to sow discord or score a cheap political advantage.
