Idoma Traditional Council Nullifies Chieftaincy Titles

To uphold accepted governance, the Idoma Area Traditional Council (IATC) has declared null and void the chieftaincy titles conferred connected definite persons 6th September, 2025, by His Royal Highness, Retired Commissioner of Police, Oga Ero, Adirahu Ny’Igede. The assembly stated that the workout lacked legal, customary, oregon accepted validity.

The determination was contained successful an authoritative connection signed by the assembly secretary, Mr. Adegbe Uloko, representing His Royal Majesty, Agaba Idu, Dr. Elaigwu Odogbo Obagaji John, Och’Idoma V, president of the IATC and vice president of the Benue State Council of Traditional Rulers.

Background to this declaration includes a anterior suspension issued by the assembly connected 2nd September, 2025, which halted each conferments of chieftaincy titles crossed Idoma onshore until further notice.

The suspension affects respective Intermediate Area Councils, including Apa and Agatu, Otukpo and Ohimini, Ado, Okpokwu and Ogbadibo, and Oju and Obi. The council’s connection underscored that immoderate conferment executed successful defiance of this directive would beryllium rendered null, void and of nary effect.

The IATC referenced the Benue State of Nigeria Gazette No. 12, Vol. 41, dated 20th October 2016, which outlines the roles of Area Traditional Councils successful matters related to customary law, taste affairs, and chieftaincy issues. Subsection (d) specifically empowers these Councils to find matters relating to chieftaincy and govern the issuing of accepted titles wrong their regions.

It emphasised that the authorization for specified conferrals lies with the 2 Paramount Rulers of Benue State — the Och’Idoma and the Tor Tiv – who enactment arsenic chairpersons of their respective councils. Consequently, immoderate grant of chieftaincy titles indispensable person anterior support from the Paramount Ruler and the Area Council, per the Chieftaincy Law of 2016.

According to the statement, the conferments made by the Igede Traditional Council connected 6th September, 2025, were, therefore, successful nonstop usurpation of the declaration of 2nd September, 2025, and contrary to the provisions of the extant law.

In airy of these considerations,  IATC asked authorities institutions, accepted stakeholders, and the wide nationalist to disregard immoderate titles purportedly conferred, saying: “The annulling of these titles aims to support the integrity of accepted institutions successful Benue State, uphold owed process, and guarantee peace, unity, and bid wrong the Idoma community.”

The connection concluded with a reaffirmation of the Idoma Area Traditional Council’s committedness to safeguarding the practice associated with chieftaincy titles. It insists that aboriginal conferments volition lone hap nether lawful authorization and stringent adherence to established regulations.