The Chairman of the South East Council of Traditional Rulers (SECTR), Eze E. C. Okeke, has backed the recent suspension of Eze Nnamdi Ofoegbu, the traditional ruler of Umudiawa autonomous community in Umuahia North LGA of Abia State.

Eze Ofoegbu was suspended by the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers over allegations of leading a parallel group of monarchs and for acts described as insubordination.

Speaking on the development, Eze Okeke accused the suspended monarch of running a rival South East traditional rulers’ forum that included people who were not even recognized monarchs. He claimed the aim of this parallel body was to undermine and destabilize SECTR’s activities.

He added that Eze Ofoegbu had been previously cautioned but chose to continue his controversial actions. Eze Okeke cited an instance in September 2024, when SECTR suspended all traditional ceremonies in honour of prominent departed Igbo figures such as ex-Ohanaeze Ndigbo President Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, and singer Onyeka Onwenu. Despite this, Eze Ofoegbu went ahead to organize a new yam festival in Asaba, Delta State in November 2024.

According to him, the suspension was purely based on Eze Ofoegbu’s actions and utterances, not an act of witch-hunt.

However, Eze Ofoegbu, while addressing journalists from his palace on Sunday, insisted that his own group — the Ndigbo Progressive Traditional Rulers Forum — is properly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). He also argued that the SECTR under Eze Okeke’s leadership is not officially registered.

Eze Ofoegbu further alleged that his suspension was linked to the award he recently presented to President Bola Tinubu, through Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, for what he described as their commendable achievements.

As the controversy continues, the situation highlights growing cracks within traditional institutions in the region, with accusations and counterclaims over legitimacy and proper conduct among royal fathers.