Anambra State Rejects Bianca Ojukwu’s Chieftaincy Title, Labels It “Fake”
Anambra State Government has rejected the chieftaincy title “Anyanwu N’Awalu Ora” reportedly given to Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu, by Obi Austin Ndigwe, describing him as an impostor and insisting he has no recognition as a traditional ruler in Awka or Anambra State. In a letter dated December 31, 2025, and signed by the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, TonyCollins Nwabunwanne, the state said the conferment violated the Traditional Rulers’ Code of Conduct. The letter stressed that “the conferment of chieftaincy titles in Anambra State is the exclusive prerogative of recognized/certified traditional rulers in their respective communities, and they do so only to residents/indigenes of their communities.” It added, “In the case of a person not from the community, the approval of the Traditional Ruler of the conferee’s community and the Commissioner for Local Government, Communities and Chieftaincy must be sought and obtained. None of these conditions was met in this case.” The letter accused Ndigwe of attempting to undermine the authority of the legitimate traditional ruler, HRH Gibson Nwosu, Eze Uzu II of Awka. It described the act as an insult to Awka people and the state’s cultural institutions, adding, “Amb. Bianca Ojukwu knows that Mr. Ndigwe has neither legal nor customary rights to confer a Chieftaincy title on anyone… She should desist from addressing herself by any such fake title conferred by Mr. Austin Ndigwe.” The government warned that it would take necessary steps to protect Anambra’s cultural heritage and traditional institutions, assuring the people of Awka that it supports lawful custodians of their traditions.