The Idoma Area Traditional Council (IATC), Tuesday, nullified the purported conferment of chieftaincy titles on some members of the communities by the ward head of Akpoge/Ogbilolo in Ado local government area of Benue state.
The Council, in an official release dated 1 September, 2026, and signed by the secretary, Mr Adegbe Uloko on behalf of the Och’Idoma V, Dr Elaigwu Odogbo John, who is also vice chairman of the Benue State Council of Traditional Rulers, said the conferment on 29 August violated the directives by the IATC earlier issued on 1 September, 2025, and established traditional procedures.
The council cited the authority of the Och’Idoma under Part 1, Section 7(d) of the Benue State Chieftaincy Law 2016, as amended, and reaffirmed the IATC’s supremacy over chieftaincy matters in Idoma land.
It declared all titles conferred by the ward head of Akpoge/Ogbilolo and other ward heads in Ado on 29 August “annulled” and “void”, with no legal, customary or traditional effect.
The council also withdrew titles previously issued to individuals who participated in the conferment at Agila and elsewhere, directing the public and government institutions to disregard them.
It warned that non-compliance would constitute a breach of law, saying the decision was intended to protect the integrity of traditional institutions and preserve peace and order in Idoma land.
