Oga Ero has no power to confer titles – Och’Idoma nullifies chieftaincy honours conferred by Ny’Igede

The Idoma Area Traditional Council (IATC), led by His Royal Majesty, Agaba Idu Dr. Elaigwu Odogbo Obagaji John, CON, the Och’Idoma V, has declared the chieftaincy titles conferred by His Royal Highness, CP (Rtd.) Oga Ero, Adirahu Ny’Igede, as illegal, null and void.

In a strongly worded statement signed by the Council Secretary, Mr. Adegbe Uloko, the Och’Idoma condemned Oga Ero’s action, accusing him of flouting an earlier directive suspending all conferments of titles across Idoma land.

The Council stressed that the purported Igede titles, bestowed on September 6, 2025, not only violated its declaration of September 2 but also contravened the Benue State Chieftaincy Law of 2016, which empowers the Och’Idoma and the Tor Tiv to regulate all matters relating to chieftaincy within their domains.

“The conferments made by the Igede Traditional Council stand in direct violation of lawful authority and are therefore of no effect,” the statement read.

Slamming Oga Ero’s defiance, the Och’Idoma warned that such acts undermine unity, peace, and the sanctity of traditional institutions in Benue State. He directed government agencies, stakeholders, and the public to disregard the disputed titles.

The IATC reaffirmed its commitment to preserving the dignity of the chieftaincy institution, vowing that no title conferment would be recognized unless carried out under due authority and in strict compliance with the law.

The statement reads in full:

Pursuant to the powers conferred on me by the Benue State Chieftaincy Law of 2016 (as amended), Part II Section 7(d), in line with the recognized authority of the Idoma Area Traditional Council (IATC) as the supreme traditional institution within Idoma land, notice is hereby given as follows:

1. That the purported conferment of chieftaincy titles by the Igede Traditional Council on 6th September, 2025, is in direct violation of the Declaration of the Idoma Area Traditional Council dated 2nd September, 2025, duly signed by Mr. Adegbe Uloko, Secretary of the Council, on behalf of His Royal Majesty, Agaba Idu, Dr. Elaigwu Odogbo John, Och’Idoma V, President, Idoma Area Traditional Council (IATC), and Vice Chairman, Benue State Council of Chiefs.

2. That such conferments are null, void, and of no legal, customary, or traditional effect.

3. That the Idoma Area Traditional Council remains the legally constituted and government-recognized traditional authority over the Idoma nation, and any acts contrary to its directives constitute a breach of extant law.

4. That the general public, government institutions, and traditional stakeholders are hereby notified and directed to disregard the said conferments and accord them no recognition whatsoever.

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.