Benue Monarch Denies Conferring Chieftaincy Titles on Tinubu, Akume

The Adirahu Ny’Igede, Chief Oga Ero, has clarified that he did not confer any chieftaincy title on President Bola Tinubu or the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, during the recently held Igede Agba yam festival in Benue State.

Amid public controversy and media speculation over the alleged conferment of traditional titles at the festival, the monarch firmly denied the claims during a briefing with journalists.

“I did not give President Tinubu any chieftaincy title,” Chief Oga Ero stated. “I only dressed the SGF, Sen. George Akume, in Igede attire. That is normal for special guests. Nothing more.”

His remarks echoed an earlier clarification from the Idoma Area Traditional Council. The council’s secretary, Adegbe Uloko, also confirmed that neither the President nor the SGF was on the official list of honourees.

The confusion surrounding the event has been linked to internal disagreements between the Igede traditional leadership and the overarching Idoma Traditional Council.

With the Igede Agba festival returning after a long hiatus, a surge in nominations for traditional honours reportedly led to tensions. Chief Oga Ero confirmed that he had submitted a list of 10 proposed recipients to the Och’Idoma for approval.

However, the Och’Idoma, invoking powers under the Benue State Chieftaincy Law, objected to certain names, trimmed the list, and ultimately directed that all chieftaincy conferments be suspended.

Despite this directive, Chief Ero said he proceeded with select honours, citing his constitutional and traditional authority as Adirahu Ny’Igede. That move, perceived as defiance, prompted the Och’Idoma’s council to issue a public nullification of the conferments on September 7.

The controversy underscores ongoing tensions between local traditional autonomy and centralized traditional oversight in Benue’s cultural landscape.