ANAMBRA GOVERNMENT SAYS BIANCA RECEIVED ‘FAKE’ CHIEFTAINCY TITLE CONFERRED BY ‘IMPOSTOR’

The Anambra government has described the chieftaincy title recently conferred on Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, minister of state for foreign affairs, as fake.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu had taken to X on Wednesday to announce what she described as her 11th traditional title in Igboland.

The minister said she was conferred with the title “Anyanwu N’Awalu Ora”—meaning light of the community—at the Igu Aro cultural festival by Austin Ndigwe, whom she called “Supreme Commander of Awka Ancient Kingdom”.

In her post, Odumegwu-Ojukwu hailed the festival as a celebration of Igbo culture, with music, dancers, masquerades, and other traditional displays.

According to her, she also received the ceremonial key to the ancient kingdom and thanked the people of the community and Igboland for the honour.

However, in a statement on Friday, Tony Nwabunwanne, commissioner for local government, chieftaincy and community affairs, said chieftaincy titles in Anambra can only be conferred by recognised traditional rulers in their communities, in line with the law.

The commissioner said Austin Ndigwe, who honoured the minister, is not a recognised traditional ruler in Awka or anywhere in Anambra State.

“To put it mildly, he is simply an impostor,” the statement reads.

He clarified that the legitimate traditional ruler of Awka is Gibson Nwosu (Eze Uzu II), who is alive and officially recognised by the state government.

Nwabunwanne said the 92-year-old Eze Uzu, a former Biafran air force officer who flew solo in a fighter jet and spent 15 years in exile, had previously conferred the chieftaincy title Omenife Awka on President Bola Tinubu in 2004.

“The actions of Mr. Ndigwe insult the sensibilities of Awka people and Anambra traditions and culture,” Nwabunwanne added.

He urged Odumegwu-Ojukwu to desist from using the title, noting that while she is eminently qualified for legitimate chieftaincy honours, such titles must come from recognised traditional institutions, not impostors.

Nwabunwanne assured the people of Awka and Anambra that the state government would protect traditional institutions and the cultural heritage of the community.

“By purporting to confer a chieftaincy title, Mr. Ndigwe usurped the ceremonial functions of the bona fide traditional ruler of Awka, and this is totally unacceptable,” the commissioner added.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu, an APGA chieftain, has not responded to the government’s statement.