Idoma Council Nullifies Chieftaincy Titles Bestowed On Tinubu, Others In Benue
Idoma Council Nullifies Chieftaincy Titles Bestowed On Tinubu, Others In Benue
However, in a statement issued on Monday, the IATC, led by its President and Och’Idoma V, His Royal Majesty Dr. Elaigwu Odogbo John, declared the conferments null and void.
The Idoma Area Traditional Council (IATC) has nullified the chieftaincy title conferred on President Bola Tinubu and four other dignitaries at the Igede Agba yam festival in Oju Local Government Area of Benue State.
The title, received on behalf of the President by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, was bestowed by the Adiharu of Igede, His Royal Highness CP Oga Ero (retd.), during Saturday’s annual celebration.
Four other personalities were similarly honoured at the event.
However, in a statement issued on Monday, the IATC, led by its President and Och’Idoma V, His Royal Majesty Dr. Elaigwu Odogbo John, declared the conferments null and void.
The council maintained that the act violated its earlier directive suspending all chieftaincy title bestowals across the Idoma nation.
The statement, signed by the council’s secretary, Mr. Adegbe Uloko, and titled “Nullification of Purported Chieftaincy Titles Conferred by the Igede Traditional Council,” stressed that the action contravened the council’s declaration of September 2, 2025.
The council said that the purported conferment of chieftaincy titles by the Igede Traditional Council on September 6, 2025, was in direct violation of the Declaration of the Idoma Area Traditional Council.
It added that such conferments were null, void, and of no legal, customary, or traditional effect.
Reaffirming its authority, the IATC noted that it remains the only government-recognised traditional institution in the Idoma nation and warned that any actions contrary to its directives amounted to a breach of law.
It further urged the public, government institutions, and traditional stakeholders to disregard the titles bestowed on President Tinubu and the other recipients.
The statement 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.”
“This pronouncement is made to safeguard the integrity of traditional institutions in Benue State, to uphold due process and to maintain peace, unity, and order within the Idoma Area Traditional Council,” IATC added.
Meanwhile, the IATC had last week announced a suspension of all chieftaincy title conferments across its jurisdiction, citing the need to sanitise and regulate the process.
