My ttention has been drawn to the statement credited to the Chairman of the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Eze Linus Nto Mbah, attempting to defend the politically-motivated suspension slammed on me, Eze Nnamdi Ofoegbu, under the guise of insubordination and running a parallel traditional rulers’ forum.
Unless ‘insubordination’ has acquired a different meaning in the dictionary of Eze Linus Mbah, I do not know how my membership in a constitutionally approved and duly registered organization—the Ndigbo Progressive Traditional Rulers Forum—amounts to an act of insubordination.
The attempt Eze Linus Mbah to justify my illegal suspension from the Council is utterly misleading and laced with falsehood.
It is important to set the records straight so that the people of Abia State, the South East, and Nigeria at large are not misled carefully crafted half-truths and political innuendos.
1. The Real Reason Behind My Suspension
Contrary to the denial Eze Mbah, he is well aware that my suspension was triggered my recognition and honouring of his Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and our illustrious son, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu.
In about 3 private meeting I held with Eze Mbah in Aba, he personally urged me to withdraw my support for both the President and the Deputy Speaker, promising to speak to the Governor to forgive me if I complied. I refused, on principle. It is my refusal that angered them and earned me his political wrath.
I am aware of other traditional rulers in Abia who were directly or indirectly threatened or intimidated into abandoning their support for Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu.
2. Freedom of Association is a Constitutional Right
The claim that I was suspended for parading a “parallel” group is both misleading and unconstitutional. The Ndigbo Progressive Traditional Rulers Forum is a legally recognized forum, duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). It consists of traditional rulers from seven states—Abia, Rivers, Delta, Imo, Enugu, Anambra, and Ebonyi—and has never interfered with the operations of any state’s traditional council.
There are numerous organizations across the country, and virtually all traditional rulers, including Eze Linus Mbah himself, belong to multiple bodies and associations. I do not see how my affiliation with this particular forum in any way violates the principles or operational integrity of the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers.
My only so-called offense appears to be that I, alongside other respected royal fathers, chose to honour President Bola Ahmed Tinubu—a legitimate and democratically elected leader of Nigeria, for those who may not be aware traditional rulers are constitutionally mandated to support any government in power.
It is on record that Eze Linus Mbah, allegedly acting on the instructions of the state government, has made repeated attempts to coerce me into withdrawing my support and public recognition of President Tinubu.
We are not in contest with any group. We exist to promote unity, progress, and engagement among likeminded royal fathers who share similar visions for our people and region.
If Eze Mbah believes our association has broken any law, the proper course of action is to challenge it legally—not through undemocratic suspensions that seek to suppress constitutional freedoms.
3. Why Only Abia?
If indeed Ndigbo Progressive Traditional Rulers Forum is causing confusion in the southeast as alleged, why is it only in Abia that this “crisis” has manifested? Why are we not being accused in Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi,Delta, Rivers or Imo? What changed after our group expressed support for President Tinubu and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu?
Let Eze Mbah answer these critical questions honestly:
Which committee investigated and recommended my suspension was it voted upon in line with due process?
Under what law does he derive the authority to unilaterally suspend me from a state council over activities in a legally recognized forum?
4. A Clarion Call for Truth and Unity
This is not just about me. It is about the integrity of the traditional institution. It is about whether royal fathers in Abia State will be free to speak their conscience, associate freely, and support leaders who are working tirelessly for the development of our people.
Let it be clear: I remain a traditional ruler duly recognized my people, and I will continue to support anyone, regardless of political affiliation, who promotes the good of my community and works to ensure the welfare and security of the South East, and Nigeria.
I urge well-meaning Abians and Nigerians to see through the smokescreen and understand that what is playing out is a thinly veiled attempt to punish traditional rulers for exercising their civic and constitutional rights.
Mr. Chairman no matter how much you tried to cover the truth be it known to you that at last the truth must prevail.
Signed..
HRM Eze Nnamdi Ofoegbu.
Diawa of Umudiawa
Oroko Abia
Chairman Ndigbo Progressive Traditional Rulers Forum
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