The Ga Traditional Council has issued a stern warning to a Nigerian, Eze Dr. Chukwudi Jude Ihenetu, who is parading himself as King of the Igbos in Ghana.

The Council said it has not conferred any kingship title on any individual, mandating him as King of Igbos in the Ga State.

The Council, in a five-item statement dated July 9, dissociated itself from all activities related to the purported Igbo King Dr Chukwudi Jude following a crunch meeting held by the council and headed by the president, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II—Ga Mantse.

“The Ga Traditional Council has observed with dismay recent happenings in the Ga State surrounding an Igbo King by name Eze Dr. Chukwudi Jude Ihenetu, who has accorded himself King of The Ga Traditional Council dissociates itself from all activities of the said Eze Dr. Chukwudi Jude Ihenetu. The Council has never recognised anybody or person as the King of Igbos within the Ga State,” a part of the statement read.

The recognition and acceptance of an individual as the chief in the Ga State is only deemed legitimate when that person's name is first listed in the National Register of Chiefs.

According to the Council, the Ga Traditional Council was set up by a law, not just by custom or tradition, which means its powers and duties are codified in the constitution of Ghana.

“Recognition of persons and their induction at the Ga Traditional Council has always been conditional upon entry of one's name in the National Register of Chiefs. The Ga Traditional Council is a creation of statute.”

“Eze Dr. Chukwudi Jude Ihenetu should henceforth cease (sic) from holding himself out as a King of the Igbos in the Ga State by way of performing any traditional activity,” parts of the statement read.

The Council, therefore, warned individuals who have been conferred titles by Dr Chukwudi from parading themselves in that regard within the Ga State.“All assigned Paramount and Divisional Chiefs installed by Eze Dr. Chukwudi Jude Ihenetu should also henceforth desist (sic) from holding themselves out as such within the Ga State. All Traditional and Cultural festivities under the guise of importing Igbo culture, presided over by Eze Dr. Chukwudi Jude Ihenetu in his capacity as King of the Igbos in the Ga State, should cease forthwith,” it added.

The Ga governing body concluded with an assurance to the general public of their commitment to peace and acceptance of “all tribes, communities, and people of other nations into the Ga State on condition that they respect the Ga Traditions and customs.”

The Council noted that it would go after any individual who tries to take advantage of their tolerance by disregarding their rules and respect for peace.

“Any person(s) who disrespects these directives with the intent to disrupt the peace of the Ga State shall be dealt with by law. Our goodwill and respect for other tribes and people of other nations should not be taken for granted,” the statement noted.

The Ga Council’s statement comes amid Eze Dr. Chukwudi Jude Ihenetu’s announcement of his intention to build a 50-acre Igbo village in Old Ningo on July 7, during an interview that went viral, drawing several reactions both from abroad and locally.

He described the project featuring a palace, market, schools, a guest house, and streets to be named after Igbo icons like Nnamdi Azikiwe as a cultural hub for Igbos in Ghana and abroad.

In reaction to Dr. Chukwudi’s comments, Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Sam George, urged the public to disregard the claims, stating that “no ‘king’ has any kingdom or land in the Ningo-Prampram Constituency. Disregard any such claims. The ancient Great Ningo kingdom is welcoming to all who visit us, but none is welcome to lay claim to a kingdom here. Rest assured, we are a hospitable people, but our hospitality cannot be taken for granted. Let calm prevail.”

Meanwhile, Eze Dr. Chukwudi Jude Ihenetu, according to reports, was not a king in Nigeria before relocating to Ghana in 1995 as a businessman, but he was crowned as Eze Ndi Igbo Ghana in 2012 by recognized Nigerian kingmakers who traveled to Ghana for the ceremony.

He does not hold any official chieftaincy status in Nigeria’s national register of chiefs, and neither is he recognised as a monarch by the Nigerian government.

Since his naming as Eze, he has established a royal council with sub-chiefs and elders to represent Igbo interests across various regions in Ghana and also hosts annual Igbo Day and New Yam Festivals, celebrating Igbo heritage and fostering unity among Nigerians in Ghana.