Prosper Okoye
A disagreement broke out on Tuesday in Abuja between two of Nigeria’s prominent traditional rulers over the existence and legitimacy of the Southern Nigerian Traditional Rulers’ Council.
The Ogbunechendo of Ezema Olo Kingdom in Enugu State, Lawrence Agubuzu, told participants at the National Traditional and Religious Leaders Summit on Health, attended by President Bola Tinubu, that no such council exists.
Speaking during the summit, Agubuzu warned the Federal Government against recognising or funding any group claiming to represent traditional rulers across the South under a single council. He said such a body did not reflect the political and cultural structure of southern Nigeria and could mislead government officials in the allocation of resources.
Join our WhatsApp Channel“The truth is that there is nothing like a Southern Traditional Rulers’ Council. If funds are given on that basis, it is not correct,” he said, adding that the South should be engaged through its recognised regional structures, especially in the South-East.
However, the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, rejected Agubuzu’s position, insisting that the council exists and that participation in it is voluntary. Speaking to journalists after the event, the monarch said the body serves as a platform for cooperation among traditional rulers in southern Nigeria.
He said the council was not limited to the South-West and included traditional rulers from the South-East and South-South, stressing that its goal was to promote unity and national development. He also pledged the council’s support for President Tinubu’s administration.
Backing the Ooni’s claim, the Eze Aro of Arochukwu Kingdom, Eberechukwu Oji, described the Southern Nigerian Traditional Rulers’ Council as a recognised movement of traditional institutions across the southern part of the country. He said the group had leaders from different regions, including the South-South, and was chaired by the Ooni of Ife.
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Oji further claimed that the council had already been formally inaugurated with the participation of the Federal Government, adding that President Tinubu was represented at the event held in Owerri.
The disagreement has exposed divisions among southern traditional rulers over representation and recognition, even as the Federal Government continues to engage them on national issues such as public health and development.
Prosper Okoye is a Correspondent and Research Writer at Prime Business Africa, a Nigerian journalist with experience in development reporting, public affairs, and policy-focused storytelling across Africa
