Eze Aro clarifies position on Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council amid controversy

The Arochukwu Traditional Council and Okpankpo Aro have issued a statement clarifying the position of Eze Aro IX, Dr. Eberechukwu Oji, regarding his participation in the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC).

The statement reaffirms that the Eze Aro’s throne is supreme and not subordinate to any other throne in Nigeria.

According to the statement, the SNTRC is a platform for consultation, peer learning, and cooperation, not a hierarchy.

The council’s structure ensures equality, leadership rotation, and mutual respect among member states. Eze Aro’s participation is aimed at promoting regional cooperation, cultural diplomacy, and strategic eengagemet.

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The statement dismisses allegations of political conspiracy, emphasising that the SNTRC is not a pre-2027 political instrument or a scheme for cultural domination.

It urges stakeholders to avoid inflammatory framing and promote calm, clear dialogue

The statement is published in extenso hereunder:

SOUTHERN NIGERIA TRADITIONAL RULERS COUNCIL: AROCHUKWU KINGDOM CLARIFIES POSITION

The Arochukwu Traditional Council and the Okpankpo Aro (the apex policy making organ) in Arochukwu Kingdom have followed with keen interest the comments, opinions, and narratives circulating in sections of the media regarding the participation of His Eminence, Eze Aro IX of Arochukwu Kingdom, Dr. Eberechukwu Oji, in the emerging Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council.

We acknowledge the concerns expressed by some commentators. We recognize that issues touching on identity, heritage, and traditional authority naturally evoke deep emotions. However, it has become necessary to clarify certain misconceptions and firmly address distortions currently gaining traction in the overriding interest of the public.

1.We Reaffirm That the Throne of the Eze Aro Is Not Subordinate to Any Other Throne in the Land Let it be clearly stated that the throne of the Eze Aro remains supreme within the Aro Kingdom and the wider Aro Nation across Nigeria. The throne is inferior to none and superior to many, given the historic role of Arochukwu as the cradle of Igbo civilization. At no time has the Eze Aro subordinated his throne to any other traditional authority, nor will such a situation arise now or in the foreseeable future under our watch. Participation in a forum does not amount to submission. Dialogue is not subjugation. Engagement is not surrender.

 2.A Forum Is Not a Hierarchy The Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council is at an embryonic stage. We view the Council in a wider prism as a platform for consultation, peer learning, information sharing, networking, knowledge exchange and bridge building in a rapidly evolving world. For us, the Council is not a constitutional structure that places any throne above another.

An interim coordinating role, wherever it exists, does not translate into permanent supremacy. To interpret it otherwise is to misread the context, intention and structure.

3.Cooperation Does Not Erase Identity We agree that Southern Nigeria is not a monolithic cultural bloc, and no one has suggested that it should become one. We also agree, rightly so, that the Igbo traditional system is historically decentralized and community driven. We are fully committed to working with all notable traditional institutions to ensure that this foundational structure remains intact and unchallenged in Igbo land. The Arochukwu Kingdom, which played a key role in Igbo foundational history, remains committed to this structure now and always. Our King, the Eze Aro, Dr. Eberechukwu Oji, is and will always be the symbol of that commitment. However, the Arochukwu Traditional Council and the Okpankpo Aro believe that decentralization does not preclude strategic cooperation and engagement with other traditional institutions. In today’s world, kingdoms, traditional institutions and communities face complex challenges that often require strategic partnerships, bridge building, cultural exchange, multi stakeholder approaches and collective problem solving that sometimes recognize no boundaries. Engagement at that broader level does not dilute autonomy.

4.The Position of South East Traditional Rulers Is Clear His Eminence, Eze Aro, Dr. Eberechukwu Oji, fully aligns with the position of other eminent traditional rulers and institutions from the South East and the wider Igbo nation that any leadership framework within the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council or any similar platform must reflect equality, leadership rotation, cultural and institutional peculiarities, mutual respect and shared responsibility among equal partners. It is, therefore, the position of the Arochukwu Traditional Council that there is no acceptance of permanent headship or symbolic dominance by any one cultural bloc in any association or forum in which the Eze Aro is involved. The principle we uphold in Aro Kingdom is open, equal, constructive partnership not hierarchy.

5.Presence Ensures Protection of Interest We invite all to note that responsible leadership does not abandon emerging platforms to speculation. Engagement ensures that the interests, values, concerns and sensitivities of Igbo traditional institutions are recognized and represented from day one. Such strategic presence allows meaningful input into governance design, safeguards and operational principles. Withdrawal, isolation or silence would achieve the opposite. The Aro, with a strong presence as equal founders and equal joiners in communities across the South East and South South zones, are well positioned to appreciate the benefits of responsible partnership, cooperation and socio political engagement.

6.Allegations of Political Conspiracy Are Unfounded The Arochukwu Traditional Council does not agree with assertions that the forum is a pre 2027 political instrument or a scheme for cultural domination. We find such assertions speculative, hasty and unsupported by any visible evidence or documented constitutional framework. The Council therefore rejects attempts to frame this engagement within alarmist or conspiratorial narratives. We appeal that our traditional institutions be encouraged and supported to remain strong, independent and resistant to partisan manipulation or ethnic incitement. The Eze Aro of Arochukwu Kingdom, a scholar by training and an accomplished professional with extensive global exposure, is fully equipped to carry the throne with the dignity it deserves.

7.Regional Councils Remain Intact From available information to the Arochukwu Traditional Council, the existence of South East, South South and South West traditional councils is not threatened by broader consultative engagements. A coordinating forum among equals does not dissolve established regional structures in Nigeria. Collaboration and structural independence can coexist.

 8.Unity Must Be Built on Equality We strongly believe that the only acceptable foundation for any inter regional traditional collaboration is equality, mutual respect and rotational leadership. Anything contrary would not command legitimacy or acceptance. Our King, the Eze Aro, Dr. Eberechukwu Oji, will not be part of any arrangement that undermines these principles. That is our position and it remains non negotiable. We are however watching developments in the said organization currently in its formative stage quite closely and with interest.

 9.Cultural Authority Cannot Be Outsourced We reassure our people, who hold the throne of the Eze Aro in the highest esteem, that the cultural authority of the Igbo traditional institution, symbolized in sacred custodianship and ancestral legitimacy, cannot be transferred, diluted or subordinated through attendance at meetings. The Eze Aro remains accountable first to the Aro Kingdom and the Igbo heritage he represents.

10.Calm, Not Crisis, Is Required While we welcome genuine concerns and constructive comments shared so far, we urge commentators, stakeholders and media platforms to avoid inflammatory framing capable of generating unnecessary distrust among southern peoples and nationalities.

We are fully conscious that Nigeria’s recurring challenges often stem from structural mistrust and perception gaps. This must be avoided. Responsible leadership requires calm clarity, not emotional escalation.

Conclusion The Arochukwu Traditional Council hereby affirms that the participation of His Eminence, Eze Aro IX, Dr. Eberechukwu Oji, in the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council must be understood within the broader context of modern leadership, regional cooperation, partnership, cultural diplomacy and strategic engagement.

Let it be clear:

There is no subordination and none will happen.

There is no surrender of identity and none is intended.

There will be no acceptance of hierarchy over Igbo traditional institutions.

There is only dialogue among equals in a multi ethnic, multi religious country in a changing world.

The Arochukwu Traditional Council and the Okpankpo Aro remain committed to preserving the dignity, autonomy and historic standing of the Eze Aro throne while constructively engaging in initiatives that promote peace, cultural exchange and regional cooperation in Nigeria. We trust that this clarification puts the matter in proper perspective and lays all concerns to rest.

Mazi Udo Chijioke

(UgwuAro) Arochukwu Kingdom

For: Okpankpo Aro & Arochukwu Traditional Council