The President General of the Igbo Community Assembly in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Engr. Ikenna Ezenekwe, has called for the abolition of the 'Eze Igbo' title in diaspora, stating that it contradicts traditional Igbo kingship customs.
Ezenekwe made this statement while responding to the recent attack on the palace of Eze Igbo Ghana by local indigenes, following reports that the diasporan monarch had acquired several hectares of land in the host community.
While condemning the attack, Ezenekwe emphasized that eliminating the Eze Igbo title abroad, in line with recommendations from Ohanaeze Ndigbo, would help prevent similar conflicts between Igbos and their host communities in the future.
"The problem is this Eze Igbo title in diaspora. Some people want to be Eze in foreign land. If you want to be Eze, go to your autonomous community and contest," Ezenekwe stated.
He attributed such conflicts to what he described as the "over-reaching and over-bearing attitude" of some diasporan monarchs in their host communities, insisting that there is no cultural justification for maintaining the Eze Igbo title outside Igboland.
"The Ohanaeze Ndigbo recommended the scrapping of Eze Igbo title in diaspora and that is where I stand. It should be scrapped. We don't need Eze Igbo title in diaspora when we have our Ezes in our homeland," he added.
Ezenekwe suggested replacing the controversial title with the office of President General and Council of Elders to administer the affairs of Igbos living abroad. He also urged Igbos in diaspora to maintain harmonious relationships with their host communities and respect local cultures and traditions.
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