The Chairman of the South East Council of Traditional Rulers, SECTR, Eze E. C. Okeke, has expressed support for the recent suspension of the traditional ruler of Umudiawa autonomous community in Umuahia North LGA of Abia State, Eze Nnamdi Ofoegbu.

Eze Ofoegbu was suspended by the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers for allegedly leading a parallel body of traditional rulers and for insubordination.

Reacting to the development, Eze E. C. Okeke stated that the suspended monarch had been operating a parallel South East traditional rulers’ forum which, according to him, included individuals who were not monarchs.

Eze Okeke, who alleged that the parallel group’s actions were aimed at destabilising SECTR, also noted that Eze Ofoegbu had previously been cautioned over his conduct before his eventual suspension in Abia State.

He disclosed that in September 2024, SECTR suspended all traditional ceremonies in honour of deceased Igbo leaders, including former Ohanaeze Ndigbo President Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, and Onyeka Onwenu. However, Eze Nnamdi Ofoegbu went ahead to organise a new yam festival scheduled for November 2024 in Asaba, Delta State.

He concluded by asserting that the suspension of the monarch was due to his actions and utterances, and not a case of victimisation.

However, speaking to journalists on Sunday from his palace, Eze Nnamdi Ofoegbu maintained that his group, the Ndigbo Progressive Traditional Rulers Forum, is duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, and alleged that the SECTR, led by Eze E. C. Okeke, is not currently registered with the CAC.

Eze Ofoegbu further claimed that his suspension in Abia State stemmed from the award he conferred upon President Bola Tinubu, through the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, in recognition of their achievements.