Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Idoma Area Traditional Council (IATC) has nullified chieftaincy titles reportedly conferred by the Ward Head of Akpoge/Ogbilolo in Ado Local Government Area of Benue State, a decision that has thrown the traditional hierarchy of the Idoma nation into sharp focus. The development comes days after the Deputy Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Chief Mrs Lami Danladi Ogenyi, was conferred with the title of “Ene Ebo Y’Agila,” also known as “Onkpo Etsi’Egontu,” by the Agila Akpoge-Ogbilolo Ward Traditional Council on August 29, 2026.
In an official release dated September 1, 2026, the IATC declared that the conferment of chieftaincy titles by the Ward Head on August 29, 2026, violated an earlier declaration by the Council dated September 2, 2025. The Council said the action was contrary to the authority vested in the Och’Idoma under the Benue State Chieftaincy Law of 2016, as amended. It consequently declared all the affected titles “annulled, void, and of no legal, customary, or traditional effect”.
The IATC further announced the withdrawal of titles previously issued by the IATC to any of its title holders who participated in what it described as the “pseudo conferment” at Agila and elsewhere on August 29. It also directed members of the public, government institutions and traditional stakeholders to disregard the affected titles and accord them no recognition. The Council maintained that it remains the legally constituted and government-recognised traditional authority within the Idoma nation, warning that acts contrary to its directives constitute a breach of extant law.
According to the statement, the decision was taken to safeguard the integrity of traditional institutions, uphold due process and maintain peace, unity and order within the Idoma Area Traditional Council. The statement was issued by the secretary of the IATC, Mr Adegbe Uloko, on behalf of the Och’Idoma, His Royal Majesty, Agaba-Idu, Dr Elaigwu Odogbo John, President of the IATC and Vice Chairman of the Benue State Council of Traditional Rulers.
In a separate statement, the IATC noted that the conferment was not carried out according to extant laws of the council and was in violation of the declaration of the Council of 1st September, 2025. The secretary of council explained that the pronouncement was made to safeguard the integrity of the traditional institutions in the state, uphold due process and maintain peace, unity, and order within the IATC. The statement read in part: “Pursuant to the powers conferred on His Royal Majesty, the Och’ Idoma, by the Benue State Chieftaincy Law of 2016 (as amended), Part 1, Section 7(d), in line with the recognised authority of the IATC, as the supreme traditional institution within Idoma land, notice is hereby given: That the purported conferment of chieftaincy titles by the Ward Head of Akpoge/Ogbilolo on 29th August, 2026, and any other Ward Heads within Ado LGA, is in direct violation of the Declaration of the IATC, dated 1st September, 2025”.
Furthermore, he said, “All such conferments by the Ward Head of Akpoge /Ogilolo et al on 29th August, 2026, are annulled, void, and of no legal, customary, or traditional effect. That any title holder in Idoma Land of the esteemed Idoma Area Traditional Council who participated in the pseudo conferment at Agila and elsewhere on 29th August, 2026, is to note that the titles issued by the Idoma Area Traditional Council to them are hereby withdrawn with immediate effect”. The general public, government institutions, and traditional stakeholders are hereby notified and directed to disregard the said conferments and accord them no recognition henceforth whatsoever. “The IATC remains the only legally constituted and government-recognized traditional authority within the Idoma nation, and any acts contrary to its directives constitute a breach of extant law”.
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.
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