The Anambra State government has disowned a chieftaincy title reportedly conferred on the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, saying it was bestowed by an unrecognized traditional ruler.
In a letter dated December 31, 2025, signed by the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Community Affairs, TonyCollins Nwabunwanne, the government described Chief Austin C. Ndigwe as “simply an impostor” and not a legitimate traditional ruler in Awka or anywhere in Anambra State.
The letter, titled “Amb. Bianca Ojukwu and the fake chieftaincy title from a fake traditional ruler”, clarified that the conferment of chieftaincy titles in Anambra is the sole prerogative of recognized traditional rulers in their respective communities. It noted that such honors are typically reserved for residents or indigenes, and where the recipient is from outside the community, official approval from the local traditional ruler and the Commissioner is required. According to Nwabunwanne, these procedures were not followed in Ojukwu’s case.
The government said Ojukwu’s social media posts announcing her title, “Anyanwu N’Awalu Ora”, had caused confusion across the All Progressives Grand Alliance and the state. The posts indicated that the title was conferred during the Igu Aro Cultural Festival by “His Majesty Obi Austin Ndigwe (MON).”
The letter emphasized that the legitimate traditional ruler of Awka is HRH Gibson Nwabueze Nwosu (Eze Uzu II), a 92-year-old veteran and former Biafran Air Force officer, who remains officially recognized by the state government. It also recalled that in 2004, Eze Nwosu conferred a chieftaincy title on President Bola Tinubu.
Describing the claimed conferment as “an affront to tradition,” the government urged Ambassador Ojukwu to desist from using the unrecognized title, stating: “We therefore state that the chieftaincy title she purports to have received from Mr Austin Ndigwe is fake and not recognized under the Anambra culture, tradition, or law.”
The government reassured residents of Awka of its commitment to uphold traditional institutions, culture, and the law.
