I did not give any chieftaincy title to Tinubu, Akume – Adirahu Ny’Igede, Oga Ero

The Adirahu Ny’Igede, Chief Oga Ero, a traditional ruler in Benue State, has insisted that he did not bestow any chieftaincy titles on President Bola Tinubu or the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume, during this year’s Igede Agba Yam Festival.

The annual festival had generated widespread attention and controversy following reports that certain prominent individuals had been honored with Igede chieftaincy titles.

Chief Oga Ero clarified to journalists that President Tinubu’s name was never included among the honorees, and no title was placed on him.

“I did not give President Tinubu any chieftaincy title. I only dressed the SGF, Sen. George Akume, in Igede attire. That is normal for special guests. Nothing more.”

The Adirahu Ny’Igede’s remarks echoed the statement from the Idoma Area Traditional Council, whose Secretary, Adegbe Uloko, confirmed that neither the President nor the SGF had been listed for any conferment.

IDOMA VOICE gathered that with the Igede Agba Festival resuming after a long hiatus, a backlog of individuals eager for recognition created tensions between the Idoma central authority and the Igede local leadership.

Chief Oga Ero revealed that he had submitted a list of 10 prospective honorees to the Och’Idoma.

The Och’Idoma, citing powers under the Benue Chieftaincy Law, reportedly trimmed the list, raised objections to certain names, and later ordered a suspension of all planned conferments.

Nonetheless, the Adirahu Ny’Igede, emphasizing his own constitutional role, proceeded to confer select honors, believing that traditional processes should not be stalled by bureaucratic delays.

This move prompted the Och’Idoma’s council to issue a public nullification on September 7.