Ohanaeze bans unauthorized Igbo royal titles, warning against the use of Ezeigbo, Ezendigbo and Igwe outside recognised institutions

The Edo State chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has prohibited the use of unauthorised Igbo traditional titles such as Ezeigbo, Ezendigbo, Igwe and other monarchical designations outside recognised traditional institutions in Igboland.

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The directive was announced on Monday in Benin City by the state secretary of the organisation, Emmanuel Ofodu, following a resolution adopted during the group’s General Assembly meeting held on April 9, 2026.

According to Ofodu, the decision applies to Igbo communities in Edo State, across Nigeria and throughout the diaspora.

He stated that the creation or operation of parallel traditional leadership structures outside Igboland lacks cultural legitimacy and is also inconsistent with an existing court judgment referenced as Suit No. B/290/2015.

The organisation stressed that only constitutionally and traditionally recognised authorities in Igboland possess the authority to confer royal titles such as Ezeigbo, Ezendigbo and Igwe.

Emmanuel Ofodu warned that any individual or group involved in unauthorised installations, coronations or assumption of such titles would be acting contrary to both cultural directives and legal pronouncements.

The Ohanaeze official also reaffirmed the group’s commitment to existing traditional institutions in Edo State, including loyalty to Ewuare II and other recognised traditional rulers across Edo North and Edo Central senatorial districts.

He urged security agencies, government institutions and members of the public to regard any unauthorised use of the prohibited titles as invalid.

According to him, strict adherence to the directive is necessary to preserve cultural order and prevent avoidable tensions among communities.

Ofodu further advised Igbo residents in Edo State to operate through recognised structures such as town unions and the state chapter of the Igbo Community Union under the broader coordination of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.

Speaking on the development, the state legal adviser of the organisation, George Igbokwe, said the decision was influenced by incidents involving some Igbo individuals in the diaspora who adopted traditional royal titles without authorisation.

“The message sent to Edo Chapter is to disseminate the information from their last executive meeting where the issue of some Igbo people in the diaspora take the title of Eze Ndigbo or Eze Igbo in their various places of business,” Igbokwe said.

He explained that the practice had reportedly generated disputes and misunderstandings in countries including South Africa, Ghana and the Netherlands.

“The Ohanaeze Ndigbo noted that it has caused several problems in Ghana, in South Africa, in Amsterdam and other parts of the world.

“So they have put their feet down in conjunction with the Council of Traditional Rulers of Ndigbo that, that Eze Ndigbo or Eze Igbo or performing the duties of Eze Ndigbo in any form or manner should be totally and permanently proscribed and prohibited,” he added.

Meanwhile, the organisation reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful coexistence with host communities and respect for established administrative and traditional structures in Edo State.

As part of its civic engagement efforts, the group also announced the commencement of a statewide mobilisation campaign to encourage participation in the ongoing voter registration exercise being conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Ohanaeze described the registration exercise as an important opportunity for eligible citizens to obtain or update their voter records and strengthen their participation in Nigeria’s democratic process.

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The organisation urged all eligible Igbo residents aged 18 and above to register, update their information where necessary and actively participate in future elections.