Ohanaeze Ndigbo bans use of ‘Ezeigbo,’ ‘Ezendigbo’, other titles in Edo

By Jethro Ibileke

The Edo State Chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has prohibited its members from the use of unauthorized Igbo traditional such as Ezeigbo, Ezendigbo, Igwe and similar monarchical designations titles outside recognized traditional institutions in Igbo land.

The State secretary of the group, Mr. Emmanuel Ofodu, gave the directive on Monday in Benin, following a resolution of the organization’s General Assembly held on April 9, 2026.

He noted that the directive applies to all Igbo communities in Edo State, across Nigeria and the wider Diaspora.

Ofodu further disclosed that creation or operation of parallel traditional leadership structures outside Igboland is not only culturally invalid but also allegedly inconsistent with a prior court ruling numbered B/290/2015.

He maintained that the only constitutionally and traditionally recognized authorities in Igboland have the mandate to confer such titles, warning that any individual or group involved in unauthorized coronations or installations would be acting in violation of both cultural directives and legal pronouncements.

The Edo State Secretary of the pan Igbo group added that the statement also reaffirmed cooperation with Edo State’s established traditional authority, including loyalty to the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, and other recognized traditional rulers across Edo North and Central senatorial districts.

He urged the security agencies, government authorities, and the public to treat any unauthorized use of such titles as invalid, insisting that enforcement of the directive is necessary to preserve cultural order and prevent inter-communal tensions.

He further emphasized that Igbo residents in Edo State should operate under recognized community frameworks, including town unions and the state chapter of Igbo Community Union, in line with broader coordination by Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.

Also speaking, the state legal adviser of the group, George Igbokwe, said the decision to proscribe such titles stemmed from the incidence that happened in South Africa where some of their sons were taking different titles.

“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.

“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,” Igbokwe said.

Meanwhile, the group has reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful coexistence with host communities and adherence to existing traditional and administrative structures in the state.

This is even as it announced the commencement of a statewide civic mobilisation campaign aimed at boosting participation in the ongoing voter registration exercise being conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

It described the exercise as a critical opportunity for eligible citizens to update their records, obtain Permanent Voter Cards and strengthen political participation ahead of future elections, noting that participation is essential to civic influence.

It therefore appealed to all Igbo residents aged 18 and above to register, update their details where necessary, and ensure full participation in the electoral process.