Ohanaeze Restricts Igbo Titles In Edo, Begins Voter Drive

The Edo State chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has prohibited the use, conferment, installation and coronation of individuals bearing monarchical titles such as Ezeigbo, Ezendigbo and Igwe within Edo State, declaring that such practices are unauthorised and contrary to the resolutions of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation.

The directive was contained in a statement presented at a press conference in Benin City yesterday by the secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Edo State Chapter, Engr. Emmanuel Ofoegbu, on behalf of the state president, Chief Benjamin Ezekwere.

Ofoegbu said the action followed a resolution adopted by the General Assembly of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide on April 9, 2026.

“I address you today on the clear and unambiguous directive of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, following the resolution passed by the General Assembly on April 9, 2026,” he said.

“This directive mandates strict compliance across all chapters, including Edo State, on the prohibition of the unauthorised use of the titles Ezeigbo, Ezendigbo, Igwe, and other similar monarchical titles outside the recognized traditional institutions in Igboland.”

According to him, the worldwide body resolved that “the practice of conferring such titles and the installation or coronation of persons bearing them outside Igboland is hereby proscribed.”

He added that the prohibition “applies expressly to all Igbo persons residing in the Diaspora and in every part of Nigeria, including Edo State.”

The Ohanaeze official said the decision was jointly backed by the South East Council of Traditional Rulers and Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, claiming that the position had judicial backing.

“The South East Council of Traditional Rulers, in conjunction with Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has jointly declared that no individual, group, or association has the statutory or customary authority to create parallel traditional institutions or confer monarchical titles outside the ancestral jurisdictions recognized by law and custom in Igboland,” he stated.

“Let me state unequivocally that this position has the backing of the law. A court of competent jurisdiction has declared, in Suit Number B/290/2015, that such actions are illegal and criminal.”

“Therefore, the installation, coronation, or parading of any person as Ezeigbo, Ezendigbo, Igwe, or any similar monarchical title within Edo State stands in direct violation of that judicial pronouncement.”

The organization declared that anyone currently bearing such titles in Edo State without recognition from established traditional institutions in Igboland would be regarded as acting contrary to the resolution and court judgment, warning that future coronations or installations would not be tolerated.

“Any person within Edo State currently bearing the title of Ezeigbo, Ezendigbo, Igwe, or any similar monarchical title or performing the functions or duties of such office without recognition from the established traditional institutions in Igboland is acting in breach of the resolution and the court judgment. Such conduct is hereby proscribed and completely prohibited.”