Idoma traditional council cancels Chieftaincy titles conferred by Ny’Igede

By Amaechi Agbo

The Idoma Area Traditional Council (IATC) has declared null and void the chieftaincy titles conferred on 6th September 2025 by His Royal Highness, CP (Retired) Oga Ero, Adirahu Ny’Igede, stating that the exercise has no legal, customary, or traditional effect.
The pronouncement was contained in an official statement signed by the Secretary of the Council, Mr. Adegbe Uloko, on behalf of His Royal Majesty, Agaba Idu Dr. Elaigwu Odogbo Obagaji John, Och’Idoma V, President of the Idoma Area Traditional Council and Vice Chairman of the Benue State Council of Traditional Rulers.
The Council recalled that on 2nd September 2025, it had issued a declaration suspending all conferments of chieftaincy titles across Idoma land until further notice. The suspension covered the Intermediate Area Councils of Apa and Agatu, Otukpo and Ohimini, Ado, Okpokwu and Ogbadibo, and Oju and Obi.
The declaration, signed by the Council Secretary, emphasized that any conferment carried out in defiance of the directive would be deemed null, void, and of no effect.
In upholding its latest decision, the Council cited the Benue State of Nigeria Gazette No. 12, Vol. 41 of 20th October 2016. Section 7 of the law outlines the functions of Area Traditional Councils in relation to customary law, cultural affairs, inter-communal relations, and chieftaincy matters. Specifically, subsection (d) provides that the Councils are empowered “to determine questions relating to chieftaincy matters and control of traditional titles within their domain.”
The IATC explained that this provision vests lawful authority in the two Paramount Rulers of Benue State, the Och’Idoma and the Tor Tiv, who serve as Chairmen of their respective Area Traditional Councils. As such, all conferments of chieftaincy titles within their jurisdiction must receive prior approval from the Paramount Ruler and the Area Council, in accordance with the Chieftaincy Law of 2016 as amended.
According to the statement, the conferments made by the Igede Traditional Council on 6th September 2025 were therefore, in direct violation of the declaration of 2nd September, 2025, and contrary to the provisions of the extant law.