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MAKURDI: The Ochi’Idoma, Agaba-Idu Dr. Elaigwu Odogbo John, President, Idoma Area Traditional Council (IATC) and Vice Chairman, Benue State Council of Traditional Rulers, has nullified the chieftaincy titles purportedly conferred on some Igede persons by the Igede Traditional Council, last Saturday.
In a statement signed by the Secretary to the ITAC, Adegbe Uloko, it was declared that the chieftaincy titles conferred on the recipients were null and void, adding that the action was taken in contravention of the ITAC’s directives and a breach of the extant laws of Idomaland.
The statement, which was made available to newsmen in Makurdi on Monday, titled “Nullification of Purported Chieftaincy Titles Conferred by the Igede Traditional Council”, also advised the public, institutions, and traditional stakeholders to disregard the conferment and not to accord the recipients any recognition.
According to the Ochi’Idoma, he nullified the chieftaincy titles “Pursuant to the powers conferred on me by the Benue State Chieftaincy Law of 2016 (as amended), Part II Section 7(d) in line with the recognized authority of IATC, as the supreme traditional institution within Idoma land, notice is hereby given as follows:
“That the purported conferment of chieftaincy titles by the Igede Traditional Council on 6th September, 2025 (last Saturday), is in direct violation of the Declaration of the Idoma Area Traditional Council dated 2nd September, 2025, duly signed by Mr. Adegbe Uloko, Secretary of the Council, on behalf of His Royal Majesty, Agaba’tdu, Dr. Elaigwu Odogbo John, Och’’Idoma V, President IATC and Vice Chairman, Benue State Council of Chiefs.”
It would be recalled that His Royal Majesty (HRM), the Ochi’Idoma, had last week suspended the conferment of chieftaincy titles on the sons and daughters of Idomaland, until further notice.
However, in defiance of the directive, the Igede Traditional Council had gone ahead and conferred chieftaincy titles on some “deserving” persons in the area.
But in a swift reaction to the disobedience of the directive of the ITAC by the Igede Traditional Council, the Ochi’Idoma stressed “That such conferment are null, void, and of no legal, customary, or traditional effect.
“That the IATC remains the legally constituted and government-recognized traditional authority within the Idoma nation, and any acts contrary to its directives are a violation of extant law.
“That the general public, government institutions, and traditional stakeholders are hereby notified and directed to disregard the said conferment and accord them no recognition whatsoever.
“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 ITAC”, the statement observed.