The Idoma Area Traditional Council (IATC) has invalidated the chieftaincy title recently bestowed on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu alongside four others during the Igede Agba yam festival held in Oju Local Government Area of Benue State.

The honour, which was accepted on behalf of the President by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, was conferred by the Adirahu of Igede, His Royal Highness, CP (Rtd.) Oga Ero, during the festival on Saturday.

Several other personalities also received similar titles at the occasion.

However, in a Monday release, the Idoma Area Traditional Council, headed by its President and Och’Idoma V, His Royal Majesty Dr. Elaigwu Odogbo John, declared the action a breach of its standing directive suspending all conferments of chieftaincy titles in Idoma land.

The statement, issued by the IATC secretary, Mr. Adegbe Uloko, and titled “Nullification of Purported Chieftaincy Titles Conferred by the Igede Traditional Council”, emphasized that the act ran contrary to its declaration of September 2, 2025.

Quoting the council, it read: “The purported conferment of chieftaincy titles by the Igede Traditional Council on September 6, 2025, is in direct violation of the Declaration of the Idoma Area Traditional Council. Such conferments are null, void, and of no legal, customary, or traditional effect.”

Reasserting its supremacy, the IATC stressed that it is the sole authority recognised by government within the Idoma nation. It further cautioned that any disregard for its orders constitutes a violation of the law.

The council called on the public, traditional stakeholders, and state institutions to ignore the titles allegedly conferred on President Tinubu and others.

It added: “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.”

Just last week, the IATC announced a suspension of all title conferments across its jurisdiction, citing the need to reorganise and regulate the practice.

Idoma Traditional Council nullifies chieftaincy title on Tinubu, four others