Traditional authorities in Idoma land have imposed an indefinite suspension on all chieftaincy title conferments across the region, citing concerns over indiscriminate proliferation and the need to preserve the sanctity of the traditional institution.
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The Idoma Area Traditional Council, under the leadership of His Royal Majesty, Agaba-Idu (Dr) Elaigwu Odogbo John, the Ochidoma, announced the comprehensive ban in a statement issued on Wednesday by the council’s secretary, Adegbe Uloko.
The decision prohibits all Intermediate Area Councils and communities within Idoma land from conferring, approving, or announcing any chieftaincy titles until further directive from the Paramount Ruler and the traditional council.
“With immediate effect, no Intermediate Area Council or community is permitted to confer, approve, or announce any chieftaincy title of any category until further directive is issued by the Paramount Ruler and the Idoma Area Traditional Council,” the statement declared.
The suspension applies universally across Idoma land, affecting all persons, groups, and institutions within the traditional territory. Any chieftaincy titles conferred in violation of the directive will be declared “null, void, and of no effect,” according to the council’s announcement.
Traditional authorities warned that unauthorised conferments will not receive recognition from the Paramount Ruler, the Idoma Area Traditional Council, or the Benue State Council of Traditional Rulers. The statement further cautioned that violators “may be subjected to further traditional and legal sanctions as deemed appropriate by the competent authorities.”
The council justified the suspension as necessary to regulate and safeguard the conferment process, preventing what officials described as indiscriminate proliferation of traditional titles that could undermine the institution’s integrity.
The Ochidoma, who also serves as vice chairman of the Benue State Area Traditional Council, noted the traditional council’s commitment to protecting the heritage and integrity of chieftaincy titles in Idoma land.
The royal father stressed that future conferment of titles must continue to reflect honour, service, and cultural value and would only be carried out under lawful authority and proper due process.
The indefinite nature of the ban suggests the traditional council intends to conduct a comprehensive review of existing procedures before resuming any chieftaincy title conferments in the region.
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