The South-East Council of Traditional Rulers has officially banned the appellation “Eze Ndigbo” by leaders of South-Easterners living outside Igbo land.
A formal communique, obtained by SaharaReporters, communicated this decision.
In its stead, the council has introduced a new appellation, “Onyendu Ndigbo,” for leaders in the Diaspora and abroad.
Key traditional rulers, including Eze E.C. Okeke (Eze Imo) and the chair of the council, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, endorsed the communique.
The rulers said they took the action to preserve the sanctity of the “Eze” title.
The title, they asserted, is traditionally reserved for enthroned rulers with ancestral authority over a defined kingdom or community in Igbo land.
The rulers clarified that the appellation of “Eze” is not honourary or political. They said it is tied to sacred rites and ancestral traditions.
They commended the Igbo Diaspora leaders for their role in unifying Ndigbo and promoting peace in host countries.
The council, however, argued that the abuse of the “Eze Ndigbo” appellation dilutes traditional authority and cultural integrity.
The rulers declared that the new appellation of “Onyendu Ndigbo” is to be used immediately across all platforms—official documents, signage, letterheads, and public engagements.
They stated that refusal to adhere to the latest directive would be deemed disrespectful toward Igbo traditional authority.
The council appealed to all Igbo leaders abroad to embrace the new title in the interest of unity and cultural integrity.
Microsecondnews recalls that there was recently an incident in Ghana where the crowning of Eze Chukwudi Ihenetu as “Eze Ndi Igbo Ghana caused some outrage in the local community.
The ceremony led to protests and debates about sovereignty, cultural boundaries, and foreign leadership roles within local communities.
Ihenetu’s elaborate plan for Ndigbo in Ghana, including unveiling of a regal palace and a proposed Igbo Village to be built on purchased 50 plots of land around Aflao, added more fuel to the fire.
However, the Igbo Rulers Council’s latest move will help to prevent similar situations in future.
