Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, the Igbo socio-cultural organisation, has banned the crowning of Eze Ndigbo (King of the Igbos) in foreign countries following violent protests that erupted after a coronation ceremony in South Africa last month.
Igbo associations in the diaspora occasionally hold cultural
activities to promote their heritage. During such gatherings, the title ‘Eze
Ndigbo’ is conferred on a man chosen by his community to serve as their leader.
Last month, the selection of an Eze Ndigbo in Kugompo, South
London, a city in the Eastern Cape Province, sparked outrage, with angry South
Africans torching vehicles and buildings reportedly owned by foreign nationals.
The Nigerian high commission in South Africa apologised for
the controversy, stressing that the gathering was only symbolic and not
political.
In July 2025, a similar coronation led to protests in Ghana,
with demonstrators demanding that Nigerians leave the country.
Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, minister of state for foreign
affairs, led a delegation to Accra to diplomatically resolve the tensions.
On Thursday, members of the Imeobi, the highest
decision-making body of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, met in Enugu over the
matter.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who attended the meeting, noted that the
coronations have become a big embarrassment to Nigeria.
According to a statement issued by Magnus Eze, special
assistant to the minister on communication and new media, Odumegwu-Ojukwu said
citizens could express themselves culturally without causing a nuisance to
indigenes of their host country and others.
At the meeting, the national executive committee of Ohanaeze
Ndigbo Worldwide, in collaboration with the south east council of traditional
rulers abolished the concept of Eze Igbo outside Igboland.
Azuta Mbata, president general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, presented
the decision of the Igbo socio-cultural organisation.
“Anybody who is being awarded that type of title anywhere
outside of Igbo land is on his own. It’s unknown to the Igbo people, and we
will call upon all state governors; we’ll correspond to all embassies in the
world, informing them about the position of Ndigbo,” Mbata said.
“The position of Eze Ndigbo anywhere outside Igbo land is
hereby alienated and proscribed. That is the position of Ohanaeze Ndigbo
worldwide.
“We will determine in consultation with the kings of Igbo
land what the punishment will be for anybody who goes against this position and
that punishment will be implemented at the village level.
“Your hometown, your town union will be under injunction to
implement that punishment, but we are going to declare that punishment after
due consultation.”
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the ministry of foreign affairs would
communicate the decision through its missions and high commissions globally.
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