Emerging divisions among traditional rulers from Southern Nigeria surfaced on Tuesday in Abuja, as monarchs presented differing opinions on the Southern Traditional Rulers Council, presided over by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.
This divergence of views occurred during the 1st National Traditional and Religious Leaders Summit held at the State House.
Dr. Lawrence Agbuzu, Eze Ogbunechendo of Ezema Kingdom, asserted that the Southern Traditional Rulers Council does not exist and cautioned against engaging with individuals claiming to represent the South under such a banner.
"Now, again, they were talking about the Southern Traditional Rulers Committee on Health… The truth of the matter is that there is nothing like a Southern Traditional Rulers Council. If you come here and give money to people on that basis, it is not correct. The South is not the North. We have our system. We need unity in diversity," Agbuzu stated.
He suggested that federal authorities should engage directly with specific regional groups, particularly the South-east, instead of individuals purported to have widespread representation.
Agbuzu also voiced concerns regarding the unrest among youth in the South- east, noting that traditional rulers are sometimes viewed with suspicion when they interact with the federal government.
The monarch further appealed for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). He argued that it would be challenging for traditional rulers in the South-east to promote federal government initiatives while Kanu remains incarcerated.
He highlighted what he perceived as unequal treatment between Kanu and Sunday Igboho, whom he indicated is seen in the South-west as a comparable figure to the IPOB leader.
"There is no justification for freedom for Sunday Igboho… when Nnamdi Kanu is left in detention," Agbuzu declared, urging the authorities to address the situation.
Conversely, Dr. Eberechukwu Kanu Oji (Eze Aro IX), the traditional ruler of Arochukwu Kingdom in Abia State and Publicity Secretary of the Council, disputed Agbuzu's claims. He affirmed that the Southern Nigerian Traditional Rulers Council was properly established in Oyo State and has been consistently active.
"The Southern Nigerian Traditional Rulers Council is a movement… comprising members from across the entire southern part of Nigeria. He (Ooni) is our chairman," Eze Aro IX explained, adding that the Council has since conducted its Annual General Meeting in Ogun State and pursued various collaborative projects.
Eze Aro IX insisted that the Council has representation from all parts of Southern Nigeria and characterized it as being united in its objectives.
The Ooni of Ife, in his address, clarified that participation in the Council is voluntary.
"The Southern Traditional Rulers Council is very optional. You don’t need to join us if you don’t want to, but it is a force—a formidable force—among traditional institutions for us to come together," the Ooni remarked.
He dismissed any notions of internal division, emphasizing that traditional rulers from the South-east and other Southern regions are indeed part of the initiative.
"We don’t want any impression that there's division… If you don’t want to be part of us, you can opt out. We implore each and every one of us to focus more on quality news, not social media and rumours," he added.
These contrasting viewpoints shed light on the differing perspectives among Southern monarchs regarding institutional coordination and representation, even as the broader summit addressed national unity and cooperation between traditional and religious leaders.
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