Why Abia monarch was suspended, by traditional rulers council
The chairman of the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Linus Nto Mbah, has clarified that the suspension of Eze Nnamdi Ofoegbu, traditional ruler of Umudiawa Autonomous Community in Umuahia North LGA, was due to gross insubordination and defiance of the council’s directives, not political affiliation.
Eze Mbah, reacting to online reports alleging that the monarch was suspended for supporting President Bola Tinubu and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu dismissed the claims as false and misleading.
He stated that the suspension was purely an internal disciplinary action stemming from Eze Ofoegbu’s actions in running a parallel traditional institution under the name Southeast Progressive Traditional Rulers Forum, which, according to the council, has caused disunity among traditional rulers in the Southeast.
Quoting the suspension letter dated June 6, 2025, Eze Mbah said:
“Consequent upon your consistent and flagrant disregard for the instructions of the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, particularly your role in parading a parallel Southeast Traditional Rulers Council… you are hereby suspended from the Council for six (6) months.”
The letter further accused Eze Ofoegbu of bringing disrepute to the Abia Council of Traditional Rulers and tarnishing the image of the state government.
Eze Mbah insisted that nowhere in the letter was President Tinubu or Rt. Hon. Kalu mentioned, stressing that the suspension had nothing to do with political loyalty or affiliations.
“I wonder how any sane journalist could fabricate such a falsehood just to discredit the Abia State Government and the traditional institution, and to sow discord between us and the federal leadership,” he said.
He urged the public to disregard the misinformation, describing it as the work of mischief-makers bent on creating unnecessary tension and division.
It will be recalled that in March 2025, the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers disbanded all parallel traditional rulers’ associations in the state, following a resolution adopted during the council’s 9th Assembly held at JAAC House, Umuahia.
