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From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
The Idoma Area Traditional Council (IATC) has nullified the purported conferment of chieftaincy titles by the Ward Head of Akpoge/Ogbilolo in Ado Local Government Area of Benue State.
The council disclosed this in a statement signed by the Och’Idoma V and President of the IATC, His Royal Majesty John Elaigwu, and the council’s Secretary, Mr Adegbe Uloko, and issued to newsmen on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.
The council said the titles reportedly conferred on August 29, 2026, were contrary to the directives of the Idoma Area Traditional Council, which it described as the supreme traditional institution in Idoma land.
They said the conferment violated a declaration made by the council on September 1, 2025.
According to the council, the Ward Head of Akpoge/Ogbilolo, as well as any other ward head within Ado Local Government Area, does not have the authority to confer such titles contrary to the established traditional structure.
It consequently declared all the titles purportedly conferred at Akpoge/Ogbilolo and elsewhere on August 29, 2026, “annulled, void” and without any legal, customary or traditional effect.
The council further announced the withdrawal, with immediate effect, of the chieftaincy titles previously issued by the Idoma Area Traditional Council to any title holder who participated in what it described as the “pseudo conferment” at Agila and other locations on the same date.
It urged members of the public, government institutions and traditional stakeholders to disregard the purported titles and refrain from according them any recognition.
The council maintained that the Idoma Area Traditional Council remained the legally constituted and government-recognised traditional authority within Idoma land, warning that actions contrary to its directives could constitute a breach of existing law.
The pronouncement, the council said, was aimed at protecting the integrity of traditional institutions in Benue State, ensuring due process and promoting peace, unity and order within the Idoma traditional institution.
