The Traditional Rulers’ Council in Cross River state has warned Igbos living in the state to stop their proposal to formally install a king of the Igbos in the state, popularly called Eze Ndigbo.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the council and co-signed by the chairman, His Majesty, Chief (Dr) Etim Okon Edet and the paramount ruler of Calabar Municipality who is also the Ndidem of the Quas, Dr. Patrick Oqua Agbor, it warned the Igbos to desist from its planned installation and coronation of Sir E. A. Ezenwenyi (KSS, KSM, JP) as the Eze Ndigbo of Cross River state.

The monarchs explained that the Igbo monarch can go with any other title like president, chairman or leader but certainly not Eze Ndigbo of Cross River state.

“The Igbo Community in Cross River State are free to choose such other title that reflects the association but not one which is reserved for traditional rulers in Igboland,” it noted.

The Cross River monarchs also warned that the Igbo traditional leader should not go with the titles of His Royal Majesty, His Royal Highness etc as these are reserved for kings in the state.

While directing that the installation and coronation ceremony of the Eze Ndigbo must not hold on the slated date, November 24, 2018, the Cross River monarchs insisted that the Igbo traditional chief should not also award or issue traditional titles to people.

•Sourced from a Daily Trust report