Idoma Council Voids Tinubu, Others’ Chieftaincy Titles in Benue

The Idoma Area Traditional Council has nullified the chieftaincy titles conferred on President Bola Tinubu and four others at the Igede Agba yam festival in Oju Local Government Area of Benue State.

The title, received on behalf of President Tinubu 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 celebration.

Four other dignitaries were similarly honoured at the event.

However, in a statement issued on Monday, the Idoma Area Traditional Council (IATC), led by its President and Och’Idoma V, His Royal Majesty Dr. Elaigwu Odogbo John, declared the titles void, describing the act as a violation of its earlier directive suspending all conferments of chieftaincy titles within Idoma land.

The statement, signed by the council’s secretary, Mr. Adegbe Uloko, and titled “Nullification of Purported Chieftaincy Titles Conferred by the Igede Traditional Council,” emphasised that the action contravened the council’s September 2, 2025 declaration.

“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 council said.

Reasserting its authority, the IATC stressed that it remains the only government-recognised traditional body in the Idoma nation and warned that defying its directives amounts to a breach of law.

It urged the public, government institutions, and traditional stakeholders to disregard the titles purportedly conferred on President Tinubu and the others.

“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,” the statement added.

Last week, the council announced a suspension of all chieftaincy title conferments across its domain, citing the need to sanitise and regulate the process.