A disagreement emerged on Tuesday between the Ogbunechendo of Ezema Olo Kingdom in Enugu State, Lawrence Agubuzu, and the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, concerning the existence and legitimacy of a Southern Traditional Rulers’ Council.
The differing positions were expressed during the National Traditional and Religious Leaders Summit on Health held in Abuja, an event attended by President Bola Tinubu and other prominent stakeholders.
While addressing participants at the summit, Agubuzu firmly stated that there is no officially established body known as the Southern Traditional Rulers’ Council. He cautioned the Federal Government to exercise vigilance when dealing with individuals who present themselves as representatives of such a council, particularly in matters relating to financial allocations or programme implementation.
“Now, again, they were talking about the Southern Traditional Rulers Committee on Health, and the eminent Professor Pate was saying that this will become an annual event—what we are doing today—if I heard him correctly.
“The truth of the matter is that there is nothing like a Southern Traditional Rulers’ Council. If you come here, Pate, and give money to people on that basis, it’s not correct,” Igwe Agubuzu said.
He emphasised that traditional governance structures in the South differ from those in the North and should be engaged according to their unique frameworks. According to him, attempts to create a unified southern council risk overlooking the established systems within individual regions, particularly in the South-East.
“The South is not the North. We have our system. We need unity in diversity. So, if you want to deal with us, deal with us in the South-East. If you have resources for us, give them to us. Don’t give it to people who come and say, ‘We’re Southern Traditional Rulers’ Council.
“Democracy is representative government, and anybody who goes to present himself without his people is not democratic or traditional. So, get it. We think that we will do our best. Mr. President, please listen to our cries,” he added.
Agubuzu’s comments underscored concerns about representation, accountability, and the authenticity of bodies claiming to speak on behalf of southern monarchs.
In response, the Ooni of Ife rejected the claim that the council does not exist, describing it instead as a voluntary association of traditional rulers from across southern Nigeria. Speaking to journalists after the summit, Ogunwusi maintained that participation in the council is optional and not compulsory for any monarch.
“Southern Traditional Council is very optional. You don’t need to join us if you don’t want to join us, but it’s a force, a formidable force among traditional institutions for us to come together.
“And we are all reputable in all our domains. You can see all of us because one of us made a speech that there’s nothing like that. We don’t agree to that, but our President is there; we don’t want any impression that there’s division,” Oba Ogunwusi said.
The Osun monarch clarified that the council is not limited to rulers from the South-West, noting that it includes prominent traditional leaders from the South-East and South-South regions. He also reaffirmed the council’s support for President Tinubu and stressed the importance of unity among traditional institutions for national progress.
“We don’t want to take out South-East. We have Eze Aro here. Eze Arochukwu is one of the very prominent traditional rulers in the South-East. We have a lot of southeastern traditional rulers with whom we are working together for the betterment of the country.
“So for us, it’s something that is key to let the whole world know that if you don’t want to be part of us, you can option your suggestion out. And please, we implore each and every one of us to focus more on news that is of quality, not social media and rumours. This is one of the major things affecting our country,” he added.
Similarly, the Eze Aro of Arochukwu Kingdom, Eberechukwu Oji, who identified himself as the publicity secretary of the Southern Nigerian Traditional Rulers’ Council, characterised the council as an evolving platform that brings together monarchs from across southern Nigeria.
“As the Ooni said, the Southern Nigerian Traditional Rulers’ Council is a movement. It’s a journey comprising members from across the entire southern part of Nigeria. The Ooni is our chairman.
“We have King Jaja of Opopo, who is from the South-South, and we have eminent traditional rulers from across the southern parts of Nigeria who have come together to advance the cause of the Southern Nigerian Traditional Rulers’ Council,” the Abia monarch said.
Oji further stated that the council has received acknowledgment at the federal level, explaining that its inauguration took place in Owerri in the presence of government officials, media representatives, and other stakeholders.
“So let us put it on record and put it on record very clearly. The President was part of the inauguration of the Southern Nigerian Traditional Rulers’ Council. It happened in Owerri, and we have representatives of both the press, the government, and stakeholders in that inauguration,” Oji told journalists.
The exchange at the Abuja summit reflects deeper conversations within southern traditional institutions regarding structure, legitimacy, and engagement with federal authorities, particularly in matters involving policy collaboration and resource distribution.
What you should know
A public disagreement occurred between Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu and the Ooni of Ife over the legitimacy of the Southern Traditional Rulers’ Council during a national summit in Abuja attended by President Bola Tinubu.
Agubuzu insists that no such council officially exists and warned the Federal Government against recognising or funding it.
The Ooni and the Eze Aro, however, maintain that the council is a voluntary and recognised coalition of southern monarchs inaugurated in Owerri, highlighting ongoing debates over representation and coordination among traditional institutions in southern Nigeria.
