UBAKALA MONARCHS / TOWN UNION PRESIDENT GENERAL POWER TUSSLE. CAN HRH DISSOLVE ELECTED UNION EXECUTIVE?



In many communities in Ubakala, the town union leaders particularly, the President Generals are at loggerheads with their traditional rulers over power tussle.


In the past the power tussle had manifested openly in communities like Mgbarakuma, Amibo, Umuogo, Amuzu, Umuosu and Avodim, leading to the dissolution and sacking of the Union Executive there by HRH.


Some of the sacked PGs like Pharm. Chibuzor Ufomadu of Amibo, Barr. Samuel Nwadighoha of Umuogo and lately Elder Cyril  Nwabuko of Avodim had gone to court to challenge their alleged illegal removal by their monarchs.

Although some of them received unfavourable verdict, but they still believe that HRH has no constitutional right to dissolve an elected executive of the Union. 


When HRH Eze S.I Ibezim, the Evule Ukwu 11 of Umuosu  was suspended early this year, one of his offences was that he dissolved the elected executive.


Many of those sharing the thought  that HRH has no power to dissolve the elected union excecutive came out to condemn HRH Eze Bonniface Onyemachi, the Avoogu Ukwu 11  of Avodim for dissolving the Cyril Nwabuko led executive and replaced it with an interim president.  To them HRH went beyond the bounds of law when he dissolved the union executive. " He has his duties, while union executive have theirs. The traditional ruler has no jurisdiction, he doesn't have the right to dissolve the union or appoint or even inaugurate a care taker committee.  The only authority that can dissolve the union according to the constitution of the community is the general conference headed by President General" they argued.



However most of  people in this group do not have strong authority from government to back their arguement.  They refer to  the constitution of their various communities.  


Another group who holds counter view said "HRH has power to dissolve the elected executive of the union". In this group is Mr  Chidibere Okpulo, who was not happy with the way and manner the traditional rulers are being treated with ridicule, opprobrium, disdain and disrespect before their subjects in Ubakala. In a post he made on the face book in reaction to those criticizing HRH Eze Bonniface Onyemachi for dissolving the Elder Cyril Nwabuko led excecutive, he said "According to the guidelines from Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs on the Duties of the Eze and the Union which I think I have in my house, the Eze has a right to suspend the union executive when he cites 'breach of peace and security' of the community by the union executive as a reason because he is the Chief Security Officer and number one citizen of the community" 


 Chief Emeka Nwachukwu, the vice President of  the dissolved Elders Cyril Nwabuko led excecutive of Avodim Development Union agreed with Mr Okpulo, when he told the Ubscope News that the monarch has power to dissolve the union executive. "Although HRH has his duties while the union have  theirs, however as Chief Security Officer,  it is his  responsibility  to intervain  in moments of crises."  He said 


The monarchs, when dissolving the union executive have been citing 'breach of peace' as the reason for their action and it has been working in their favour execpt in Umuosu, where the politicians used their closeness to government to veto  HRH's order and equally suspended him.



"The Ezesbip stool respresents the fourth tier of government..........You are hereby charged to be true custodian of the culture and the tradition of your people as well as take responsibility for the security and economic development of your communities"

The above statement was made by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State when he was given staff of office to new traditional rulers drawn from the 17 council areas of the state on 18th August, 2020 at Micheal Okpara Hall, Umuahia

According to Mr Johnson Ajeagbu, the governor's speech and Artcle 19 (A) of Law No 8 of 1991 as amended passed by the Abia State House of Assembly answer the question. "The law of ABHA and the governor's speech give the traditional rulers the function of assisting in the maintenance  of law and order in their domains. The traditional ruler is the number one citizen in the community and the Chief Security Officer. It will be grossly irresponsible on his part not to intervain when there is breach of peace that can lead to chaos in the community because it is union affairs.


He therefore advised the PGs and their executive that instead of robbing shoulders with their traditional rulers, they should work to complement their efforts because the law has made them the leaders of their  communities in which everybody including the PG. and his executive are under their control.

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