By Amos Aar
THE OCH’IDOMA, His Royal Majesty Dr. John Elaigwu, has declared the conferment of chieftaincy titles by the Igede Traditional Council as null, void, and of no legal, customary, or traditional effect.
He said the action, which took place on Saturday, violated the directive of the Idoma Area Traditional Council (IATC) suspending all such awards until further notice.
In a statement signed by the council’s Secretary, Adegbe Oloko, on behalf of the Och’Idoma, the Paramount Ruler drew the attention of the Igede Traditional Council to the powers vested in him by the Benue State Customary Laws of 2016, which recognize the Idoma Area Traditional Council as the supreme traditional institution within Idomaland.
The statement further directed the public, government institutions, and traditional stakeholders to disregard the said confirmations and accord them no recognition whatsoever. According to the council, the pronouncement was made to safeguard the integrity of traditional institutions in Benue State, uphold due process, and maintain peace, unity, and order under the Idoma Area Traditional Council.
