Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, yesterday, announced it has abolished and disbanded all parallel traditional rulers’ associations not formally recognised by the South-East state governments.

The council made this known in a statement after its 9th Assembly/meeting held on March 14 at the JAAC House, Umuahia, the state capital.

The statement was jointly signed by the Chairman of the state council, Eze Linus Nto Mbah, and other principal officers, including the First Deputy Chairman, Eze Nelson Nmerengwa, Second Deputy Chairman, Eze Franklin Nwosu, and the Third Deputy Chairman, Eze Uwakwe Ukaegbu.

They stated they particularly disbanded the South East Progressive Traditional Rulers Forum / Ndi Igbo Progressive Traditional Rulers Forum allegedly headed by Eze Everest Nnamdi Ofoegbu, the traditional ruler of Umudiawa of Umuahia North Council.

The Abia Council of Traditional Rulers stated that its resolutions are binding on all concerned persons of Abia State.

It added that the council also abolished certain titles such as Eze Ndi Igbo, (King of Igbos), His Royal Highness (HRH) or His Royal Majesty ( HRM) held by Igbo in the Diaspora.

It further made it mandatory for all the state’s traditional rulers to be vigilant and report any influx of native doctors from neighbouring states into Abia state.

It said: “Henceforth, the use of the titles of Eze Ndi Igbo, HRH or HRM by persons in the Diaspora, who were/ are not given Staff Of Office by the governor over an autonomous community is hereby abolished, regardless of the location, urging that traditional rulers are to be vigilant and report any influx of native doctors (Ndi Dibia) from neighbouring states immediately.”