Ondo Ohaneze Backs Akure Monarch, Seeks Abolition Of ‘Eze Ndigbo’ Title

The highest decision-making body of the Igbo social cultural group, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Ondo State Chapter, has called for the implementation of a resolution of February 20, 2008 by the South East Traditional Rulers that condemned and banned the use of the title "Eze Ndigbo" by Igbo personalities who are not royal fathers.

Also, the group stated that the traditional rulers and its National Headquarters had since restated that only acceptable title for heads of Igbo people living out the south-east was "Onye-Ndun Ndigbo".

Their action is coming on the heels of a recent allegation of insubordination levelled against one Chief Gregory Iloehike by the Deji of Akureland, Oba Ogunlade Aladetoyinbo.

The group said this in a press statement issued to journalists in Akure, the state capital and jointly signed by the Onye-Ndun Ndigbo of Ondo State Chapter of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Lemmy-Kingsley Chukwuma and the group's state President-General, Chief Joseph Okeke.

They urged the Ondo State Government and the Ondo State Council of Obas to also implement a letter dated August 8, 2008 sent by the south-east traditional rulers to the Obas on how the title of Eze Ndigbo was being used to abuse Igbo customs and tradition by some individuals.

It also commended the Deji of Akure for using his maturity to resolve the recent disagreement between Igbo people and Akure community caused by the deposed Iloehike.

The Ohaneze Ndigbo in Ondo State also expressed support to the decision of Oba Aladetoyinbo to ban the use of Eze Ndigbo.

It noted that the motion was unanimously supported by all Igbo people in the state.

According to the statement "it is hitherto refusal of relevant authorities to stop Iloehika from parading himself as Eze Ndigbo of Akure as directed by the south-east traditional rulers and the Ohaneze Ndigbo since 2008, gave him courage to desecrate the stool of Deji, an act which Igbo people in the state were not satisfied with".

"A letter from our headquarters in Enugu on August 7, 2008, signed by the then Ohaneze Ndigbo's National President-General, Dr Dozie Ikedife and another letter dated September 14, 2012 also from our headquarters stated clearly that High Chief Kingsley Chukwuma as the Onye-Ndun Ndigbo of Ondo state is the Igbo leader in the state".

The statement urged Igbo people in the state to continue to relate peacefully with their host communities.

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