His Eminence, Dr. Eberechukwu Oji, the Eze Aro of Arochukwu Kingdom, has reiterated that contrary to misleading and inflammatory posts on the social media, that he maintains unblemished pedigree even with his legacy of Pan-Igbo and Pan-Southern Cooperation
The highly revered monarch in a statement signed by Mazi Ernie Onwumere, the Director of Public Affairs, he said, “It is both unfortunate and disingenuous to witness the dissemination of some misleading and inflammatory narratives being aimed at His Eminence, Dr. Eberechukwu Oji, the Eze Aro of Arochukwu Kingdom, and the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC), following a Pan-Nigeria traditional rulers conference held recently in Abuja for a health programme convened by the Federal Ministry of Health, supported by the World Bank, and attended by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. To frame the innocuous, health programme-focused Abuja event as politically motivated and the Eze Aro as bringing “shame” to the Igbo nation is not only factually incorrect, but also a disservice to national unity, the Eze Aro’s unblemished pedigree, and the legacy of Pan-Igbo and Pan-Southern cooperation that our forefathers envisioned. We must uphold the truth with facts, not narratives of ignorance and sentiment”.
“First, let it be noted that the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council was founded on a structure of equity on 21th May, 2024 at Abuja, not subservience of one zone to the other. The accusation that the Council renders Igbo kings as “permanent servants” to the Ooni of Ife as the current Chairman is a baseless falsehood designed to sow discord. The facts, as publicly documented during the inauguration in Owerri on July 30, 2024, tell a different story entirely. The leadership of this Council is anchored on the tripod of the three Southern zones, namely the South West, South East, and South South. The structure is specifically designed to prevent the domination uninformed critics allege. The rotational executive positions include the following: Chairman: The Ooni of Ife (South West); Co-Chairman: Jaja of Opobo (South South ); Co-Chairman: Obi of Obinugwu (South East); General Secretary: The Dein of Agbor (South South); Assistant Secretary: Olofin of Isheri (South West); Publicity Secretary: Eze Aro (South East); Financial Secretary: Alara of Ilara (South West); Treasurer: Amanyanabo of Abonnema (South South); Welfare Secretary: Elegushi of Ikate (South West); and Legal Adviser: Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN (South East).”
“This is not a monarchy under a single ruler; it is a constitutional council with checks and balances, and with provisions for rotation of all the executive positions, including the chairmanship. Furthermore, the position of Publicity Secretary, currently occupied by the Eze Aro, is a strategic and influential role that places an Igbo voice at the forefront of the Council’s communication. In fact, the Eze Aro could be seen at the Abuja conference also directly addressing the media in a video different from the one where he appeared alongside the Ooni of Ife. Thus, critics’ assertions of subservience and permanent exclusion are false; the inauguration communiqué explicitly stated that all executive positions are subject to rotation.”
“Also, the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council’s mandate is for national progress and unity, not partisan politics. Some critics erroneously dismiss the SNTRC as a “political support group” for the ruling APC. This is a reckless misrepresentation of a noble initiative. The SNTRC is a response to a national need, mirroring the Northern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council that has existed for years. It was conceived by the Royal fathers to bring cohesion to the traditional institution in Southern Nigeria.”
“Furthermore, the meeting in Abuja, which critics referred to, was not a political movement of any kind. It was a technical workshop aligned with a World Bank-supported health programme facilitated by the Federal Ministry of Health. As the communiqué from that very meeting also affirmed, the Council resolved unequivocally that it must remain “APOLITICAL” and focused on “the peace of Nigeria and the furtherance of the unity of the Southern Traditional Institution.”
“Beyond the institutional integrity of the Southern Traditional Rulers Council, the esteemed reputation of the Eze Aro remains unblemished. To suggest that His Eminence, Eze Eberechukwu Oji, is an “errand boy” or is diminishing the Aro throne is not only disrespectful, but is also an insult to the intelligence of those who know the revered monarch and witnessed the inauguration on 30 July, 2024 at the Banquet Hall of Rockview Hotel, Owerri. At that historic event a couple of years ago, hosted by the Governors of the Southern States and graced by the representative of the President, the Eze Aro was accorded the full respect due to a first-class monarch.”
“His role in the SNTRC elevates the voice of Arochukwu and the South East onto a national platform where critical issues affecting the South are discussed. He is therefore not playing “a second fiddle” or mortgaging the South East interests to the South West on the basis of any religious affiliation; he is a pillar of the Council and a distinguished personality of high integrity who had attained the commanding heights of corporate success before becoming a traditional ruler. He is not a pushover by any standard.”
“Talking about the legacy of Aro and Igbo leadership, those who invoke the history of the Aro Confederacy to vilify the Eze Aro are ignorant. Indeed, the Aro were masters of diplomacy, trade, and confederation, bringing various peoples together. This is the true spirit of the Aro who are eternally guided by timeless principles of “Ako bu ije” and “Nwa Aro Icho, Nkpola Icho.” By joining the SNTRC, the Eze Aro is continuing that legacy of statecraft and alliance-building with wisdom and tact, not abandoning it. He is ensuring that Aro’s influence extends beyond the old boundaries of the Confederacy into the modern governance structure of Nigeria. The “pride of the Igbo nation” cannot be isolationism; it is our ability to engage, lead, and shape the narrative on any stage.”
“All this calls for equitable co-existence, not conflict of loyalties as critics tend to project in attempts to create a false dichotomy between the South East Council of Traditional Rulers and the SNTRC. They are not mutually exclusive. The Eze Aro remains a proud and active member of his zonal council. The SNTRC serves a complementary purpose: it addresses issues that transcend zonal boundaries, such as security, economic integration, and public health across the entire Southern Nigeria.”
“It is worthy of note that the following traditional rulers attended the inaugural meeting of 21 May, 2024: His Imperial Majesty, Oba Dr. Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, Ooni of Ife, Osun State; His Eminence, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi, Otu Obong of Calabar, Cross Rivers State; HRM, Eze (Dr.) Cletus Ilomuanya, CON, Obi of Obinugwu, and Chairman, Imo State Council of Elders; HRM, Oba (Dr.) Olufolarin Ogunsanwo, Alara of Ilara, Epe Division Lagos State; HRM Eze (Dr.) Emmanuel C. Okeke CFR, Eze Udo II of Amaife Ancient Kingdom, Imo State; HRM Oba (Dr.) Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, CFR, Odudun II Deji and Paramount Ruler of Akure Kingdom, Ondo State; HRM Eze Linus Mbah Nto Eze Udo I of Ata Igbo Ukwu, and Chairman, Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers; HRM Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi Kusenla III, Elegushi of Ikate Kingdom, Lagos State; HM, Dandeson Douglas Jaja, CFR, DSSRS, Jeki V, Jaja of Opobo Rivers State; HRM Oba (Dr.) Babatunde Ola Ogunlaja, JP, Aladeshoyin and Paramount Ruler of Odo-Noforija Kingdom Epe Division, Lagos State; HRM Oba Adesegun Bolaji Alowonle, Elemuren of Imure, Ogun State; HRM Oba Suleiman Adekunle Bamgbade Ayodele III, Olofin of Isheri Adimula of Awori Land; HRM Oba Joseph Adebayo Adewole, Ajero of Ijero, Ekiti State; HRM Oba Ayorinde Ilori Fabaro Ajiboyede III, Olojudo of Ido Kingdom, Ekiti State; HRM Oba (Dr.) Adekunle Adeagbo Oore Otun, the Paramount Ruler of Mobaland, Ekiti State; HRM Eze M. C. Nwokoma, KSC, JP, MPA, Okaa-Omee 4th of Umuokanne Ancient Kingdom, Ohaji/Egbema, Imo State; HRM Oba (Engr.) N. Osoja Onikogbo of Ikogbo, Ogun State; His Eminence, Eze Eberechukwu Oji, Eze Aro of Arochukwu Kingdom, Abia State; and HRM, Obi Benjamin Keagborukuzi Ikenchukwu, Dein of Agbor, Delta State.”
“The inaugurated board members of SNTRC are: HRH Eze Nnani Nzeribe, Igwe of Oguta Kingdom; HRH Eze Isaac Ikonne, Enyi of Aba; HRH Igwe F.O. Nwatu, Ogbozinne Akpugo; HRH Igwe Kenneth Onyeneke Orizu, Igwe of Nnewi; HM Oba Sikuru Adetona, Awujale of Ijebuland; HRM Oba Rilwan Aremu Akiolu, Oba of Lagos; HRM Omo N’Oba Akpolokpolo, Oba of Benin; HRM Oba Ogunlade Aladelusi Odundun, Deji of Akure; HRM Nntenyin Solomon Daniel Etuk, The Okun Ibom Ibibio; HRM King Edmund Daukoru, Amanyanabo of Nembe Kingdom; HRM Oba Michael Adedotun Gbadebo, Alake of Egbaland; and HRM Ogiame Atuwatse, Olu of Warri.”
“As part of the Southern Nigeria development strategy, on 25th November, 2025, Prince Dapo Abiodun, the Ogun State Governor, hosted a Joint Meeting of the Southern Governors’ Forum and the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council in Iperu, where the 17 Southern Governors and esteemed Traditional Rulers rulers addressed key issues affecting Southern Nigeria. The discussions focused on security, governance, economic stability, and strengthening regional collaboration. Together, they adopted major resolutions, including the creation of a zonal security fund, improved intelligence-sharing systems, sustained advocacy for State Police, a unified resident identification programme, stronger regional security outfits, better land and mining governance, and enhanced support for traditional councils.”
“Finally, the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council is a vehicle for unity, strength, and progress. His Eminence, the Eze Aro, is not a passenger in this vehicle; he is one of its drivers. To accuse him of any indignity is to confuse progress with parochialism. We call on all knowledgeable sons and daughters of Aro and the Igbo nation to support the SNTRC and accord the Eze Aro his respect. Our king is not playing a second fiddle; he is helping to conduct an orchestra of Southern unity for the peace and development of Nigeria. We may not always see issues the same way, but let us be confident in who we are as a people, and support our traditional rulers as they work for our collective interests. It shall be well with Nigeria and Alaigbo.”