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| President Bola Amend Tinubu |
The Idoma Area Traditional Council (IATC) has declared null and void the chieftaincy title conferred on President Bola Tinubu during the Igede Agba yam festival in Benue State. The council cited a violation of its suspension order on all traditional honors as the reason for its decision .
The title was bestowed on September 6, 2025, by the Igede Traditional Council under the leadership of His Royal Highness CP Oga Ero (retd.), the Adiharu of Igede. Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, accepted the honor on behalf of President Tinubu during the cultural event in Oju Local Government Area. Four other dignitaries also received titles at the festival .
In a statement released on September 8, the IATC described the conferment as a direct breach of its September 2 directive that suspended all chieftaincy title conferments across the Idoma nation. The council emphasized its role as the only government-recognized traditional body in the region and invoked the Benue State Chieftaincy Law of 2016 to justify its decision .
The statement, signed by council secretary Mr. Adegbe Uloko, read: “The purported conferment of chieftaincy titles by the Igede Traditional Council on September 6, 2025, is in direct violation of the Declaration of the Idoma Area Traditional Council. Such conferments are null, void, and of no legal, customary, or traditional effect” .
The IATC is led by His Royal Majesty Dr. Elaigwu Odogbo John, the Och’Idoma V and president of the council. It claims ultimate authority over traditional matters in Idomaland, including the power to regulate chieftaincy titles. The council urged the public and government institutions to disregard the titles conferred at the festival .
This development highlights ongoing efforts to sanitize and regulate traditional honors in the region. The IATC had earlier suspended all chieftaincy conferments to preserve the integrity of the institution and maintain order. The council stated that its latest action was meant to safeguard due process and promote unity within the Idoma traditional community .
The four other recipients of the nullified titles were not named in the council’s statement. However, reports indicate they were prominent figures honored for their contributions to community and national development .
President Tinubu has received several cross-ethnic chieftaincy titles in the past. These include the “Eze Udo of Igbo Land” (King of Peace) and “Omezeri Igbo I” (He Who Has Done Well for the Igbo) from Igbo monarchs in 2023. His wife, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, was also recently honored with the title “Ugosimba I of Enugu” by the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council .
Cross-ethnic chieftaincy titles are common in Nigeria and often serve as gestures of cultural diplomacy and national unity. However, the recent nullification underscores the importance of protocol and hierarchy within traditional institutions .
The Idoma Area Traditional Council reaffirmed its commitment to upholding due process and maintaining the prestige of traditional honors. It warned that any further unauthorized conferments would be considered a breach of extant laws .
As of now, there has been no public response from the Igede Traditional Council or the office of the Secretary to the Government of Federation regarding the nullification .