The Anambra State Government has disowned the chieftaincy title of “Anyanwu N’Awalu Ora” purportedly conferred on the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu, by Obi Austin Ndigwe, insisting that Ndigwe is not a recognised traditional ruler in Awka or anywhere in the state.
In a letter dated December 31, 2025, and signed by Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, TonyCollins Nwabunwanne, the government stated that the conferment did not follow due process.
“Chief Austin C. Ndigwe IS NOT a traditional ruler in Awka or Anambra State. To put it mildly, he is simply an impostor,” the letter read.
The commissioner explained that only certified traditional rulers have the authority to confer titles, and such honours are restricted to indigenes or residents of their communities. For non-indigenes, approval must be sought from the conferee’s community ruler and the commissioner. None of these conditions, he said, were met in Ojukwu’s case.
The government noted that Ojukwu’s social media posts about the title had caused confusion within the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and across the state.
The statement reaffirmed that HRH Gibson Nwabueze Nwosu (Eze Uzu II) remains the legitimate traditional ruler of Awka, with official government recognition. It described Ndigwe’s claim to the title “Eze Uzu III” as a criminal offence under Anambra law.
The government highlighted Nwosu’s distinguished background, noting that he was the first Nigerian to fly a fighter jet solo and once served as Second-in-Command in the Biafran Air Force. It recalled that Nwosu had conferred the title of Omenife Awka on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2004.
“By purporting to confer a chieftaincy title, Mr. Ndigwe usurped the ceremonial functions of the bona fide Traditional Ruler of Awka, HRH Gibson Nwosu, and this is totally unacceptable,” the statement added.
The government stressed that Ojukwu, given her pedigree and status as the widow of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, should have known the facts. It described her acceptance of the title as an affront to Anambra’s traditions and institutions.
“Amb. Bianca Ojukwu knows that Mr. Ndigwe has neither legal nor customary rights to confer a chieftaincy title on anyone. She is eminently qualified to be honoured by recognised traditional institutions, but not by an impostor,” the government declared.
Concluding, the government vowed to protect the sanctity of Anambra’s traditional institutions and cultural heritage.
“We must restore sensible values and respect for law and order, custom and tradition. The State Government will not tolerate this desecration of the Traditional Institution and will take every lawful step to protect our collective heritage,” the statement said.