BY NONYELUM JULIET
Markudi
The Idoma Area Traditional Council (IATC) has declared invalid the chieftaincy titles conferred on September 6, 2025, by HRH CP (Rtd.) Oga Ero, Adirahu Ny’Igede, describing the exercise as illegal and without customary effect.
The Council’s decision was contained in a statement signed by its Secretary, Mr. Adegbe Uloko, on behalf of His Royal Majesty, Agaba Idu, Dr. Elaigwu Odogbo Obagaji John, CON, Och’Idoma V, President of the IATC and Vice Chairman of the Benue State Council of Traditional Rulers.
The IATC recalled that it had, on September 2, 2025, suspended all conferments of chieftaincy titles across Idomaland, covering the Intermediate Area Councils of Apa/Agatu, Otukpo/Ohimini, Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo, and Oju/Obi. The directive warned that any conferment done in defiance would be null and void.
Quoting the Benue State of Nigeria Gazette No. 12, Vol. 41 of October 20, 2016, the Council noted that under Section 7 of the law, only the Paramount Rulers—the Och’Idoma and the Tor Tiv—are empowered to approve and regulate chieftaincy matters within their domains.
It said the action of the Igede Traditional Council was therefore a violation of the subsisting directive and the extant Chieftaincy Law.
The Council urged government agencies, traditional stakeholders, and the public to disregard the titles, stressing that the nullification was necessary to preserve the sanctity of traditional institutions, ensure due process, and maintain peace and unity in Idomaland.
It reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the heritage of chieftaincy titles, saying future conferments would only be carried out under lawful authority.
