The Idoma Area Traditional Council, IATC, has dismissed the report making the rounds that it nullified chieftaincy titles conferred on President Bola Tinubu and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, George Akume by the Adiharu of Igede, HRH Oga Ero, during last Saturday’s Igede Agba festivities in Oju LGA of the state.

In a statement by the Secretary of the Council, Adegbe Uloko, the IATC described the reports as mischievous and misleading.

Recall that the Council had last week placed an embargo on the conferment of chieftaincy titles in its Intermediate area.

But, during the Igede Agba celebration which was held last weekend, the Adiharu of Igede conferred chieftaincy titles on selected personalities in alleged violation of the order.

The development has reportedly triggered controversy leading to accusations, counter accusations and disagreements among stakeholders and leaders of the Idoma and Igede speaking tribes that make up the Benue South District and Intermediate area that fall within the jurisdiction of the IATC.

The IATC in the statement clarified that the list of individuals proposed for conferment of chieftaincy titles at the event by the Igede Intermediate Area Traditional Council did not include the names of the President or the SGF.

According to the Council, it had directed the First-Class Chief, His Royal Highness Ero Oga, to step down the conferment of titles on August 19, 2025, and reinforced this directive with an official declaration on September 2, 2025.

It maintained that “At no time did the list of honourees contain the name of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or that of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

“The First-Class Chief, His Royal Highness Ero Oga, was officially directed on 19th August 2025 to step down the conferment, and this directive was reinforced by an official declaration of the Council issued on 2nd September 2025,” the Council said.