Southern monarchs disagree over council’s existence as calls mount for Nnamdi Kanu’s release at Abuja summit.

What appeared to be cracks within the ranks of traditional rulers from Southern Nigeria emerged on Tuesday in Abuja as monarchs publicly disagreed over the existence and structure of the Southern Traditional Rulers Council, chaired by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.

The disagreement occurred during the 1st National Traditional and Religious Leaders Summit held at the State House.

Eze Ogbunechendo of Ezema Kingdom, Dr. Lawrence Agbuzu, maintained that there was no such body as the Southern Traditional Rulers Council, cautioning against engaging with individuals who claim to represent the South under that platform.

“Now, again, they were talking about the Southern Traditional Rulers Committee on Health… The truth of the matter is that there is nothing like a Southern Traditional Rulers Council. If you come here and give money to people on that basis, it is not correct. The South is not the North. We have our system. We need unity in diversity,” Agbuzu said.

He urged federal authorities to engage directly with regional blocs, particularly the South-east, rather than individuals claiming broad representation.

Agbuzu also expressed concern over agitation among youths in the South-east, stating that traditional rulers are sometimes viewed with suspicion when they engage with federal authorities.

The monarch further called for the release of the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, arguing that it would be difficult for traditional rulers in the South-east to promote federal government programmes while he remains in custody.

He questioned what he described as disparity in treatment between Kanu and Sunday Igboho, who he said is perceived in the South-west as a counterpart to the IPOB leader.

“There is no justification for freedom for Sunday Igboho… when Nnamdi Kanu is left in detention,” Agbuzu stated, urging authorities to resolve the matter.

However, the traditional ruler of Arochukwu Kingdom in Abia State, Dr. Eberechukwu Kanu Oji (Eze Aro IX), who serves as Publicity Secretary of the Council, countered the claim, insisting that the Southern Nigerian Traditional Rulers Council was duly inaugurated in Oyo State and has remained active.

“The Southern Nigerian Traditional Rulers Council is a movement… comprising members from across the entire southern part of Nigeria. He (Ooni) is our chairman,” he said, adding that the Council has since held its Annual General Meeting in Ogun State and undertaken several joint initiatives.

Eze Aro IX maintained that the Council enjoys representation from across Southern Nigeria and described it as united in purpose.

In his remarks, the Ooni of Ife clarified that membership of the Council is voluntary.

“The Southern Traditional Rulers Council is very optional. You don’t need to join us if you don’t want to, but it is a force—a formidable force—among traditional institutions for us to come together,” the Ooni said.

He dismissed impressions of division, stressing that traditional rulers from the South-east and other parts of Southern Nigeria are part of the initiative.

“We don’t want any impression that there’s division… If you don’t want to be part of us, you can opt out. We implore each and every one of us to focus more on quality news, not social media and rumours,” he added.

The exchanges underscored differing perspectives among Southern monarchs on institutional coordination and representation, even as the broader summit focused on national unity and collaboration between traditional and religious leaders. (AriseNews TV)

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