07/18/2025
Newsflash🗣️
South-East Traditional Rulers Abolish “Eze Ndigbo” Title for Diaspora Leaders
The South-East Council of Traditional Rulers has officially abolished the use of the title “Eze Ndigbo” by Igbo leaders living outside Igbo land.
In a communique obtained by SaharaReporters, the council announced the introduction of a new title, “Onyendu Ndigbo,” for leaders in the Diaspora and abroad.
The statement was signed by key monarchs, including Eze E.C. Okeke (Eze Imo) and Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, who chairs the council.
The decision, they said, aims to preserve the sanctity of the “Eze” title, which is traditionally reserved for enthroned rulers with ancestral authority over a defined kingdom or community in Igbo land.
The council emphasized that the “Eze” title is not honorary or political but deeply rooted in sacred rites and ancestral customs.
While acknowledging the positive role of Igbo Diaspora leaders in unifying Ndigbo and promoting peace in host countries, the council insisted that the misuse of the “Eze Ndigbo” title dilutes traditional authority and cultural heritage.
The newly introduced title, “Onyendu Ndigbo,” is to be used immediately across all platforms—official documents, signage, letterheads, and public engagements. Non-compliance, the council warned, would be regarded as an act of defiance and disrespect toward Igbo traditional authority.
The council urged all Igbo leaders abroad to embrace this change in the interest of unity, cultural integrity, and mutual respect between the Diaspora and traditional institutions at home.
This resolution comes in the wake of public uproar in Ghana following the crowning of Eze Chukwudi Ihenetu as “Eze Ndi Igbo Ghana.” The ceremony, which included the unveiling of a regal palace in Accra, triggered protests and debates about sovereignty, cultural boundaries, and foreign leadership roles within local communities.
The council’s move is seen as a step toward preserving Igbo heritage while fostering better cooperation between traditional rulers and Igbo leaders across the globe.