The Idoma Area Traditional Council has declared null and void the chieftaincy title conferred on President Bola Tinubu and four others at the Igede Agba yam festival in Oju Local Government Area of Benue State.

The title, received on behalf of the President by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, was bestowed by the Adiharu of Igede, His Royal Highness CP Oga Ero (retd.), during Saturday’s celebration.

Four other dignitaries were similarly honoured at the event.

But in a statement on Monday, the Idoma Area Traditional Council, led by its President and Och’Idoma V, His Royal Majesty Dr. Elaigwu Odogbo John, described the conferment as a violation of its earlier directive suspending all chieftaincy title conferments in the Idoma nation.

The statement, signed by the council’s secretary, Mr. Adegbe Uloko, and titled “Nullification of Purported Chieftaincy Titles Conferred by the Igede Traditional Council,” stressed that the move contravened the council’s declaration dated September 2, 2025.

The council said, “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.”

Reaffirming its authority, the IATC said it remained the only government-recognized traditional body in the Idoma nation and warned that any acts contrary to its directives amounted to a breach of extant laws.

It therefore urged the general public, government institutions, and traditional stakeholders to disregard the titles purportedly conferred on President Tinubu and the other recipients.

“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,” the statement added.

The council had last week announced a suspension of all chieftaincy title conferments across its domain, citing the need to sanitize and regulate the process. (The PUNCH, but headline rejigged)