Activist Somto Okonkwo has criticised the recent conferment of traditional titles on Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, in Anambra and Imo states, describing the development as an affront to Igbo tradition.
Okonkwo made the remarks in a post shared on X while reacting to the honours recently bestowed on the First Lady.
In Anambra, Tinubu was conferred with the title Ugo Eze Anambra by traditional rulers representing the state’s 179 communities. The title was described as meaning “the glory of the king” or “a Royal Eagle” and was said to recognise her activities and contributions.
A day earlier, she had also received the Oso Di Eme I title in Imo State. Her media aide, Busola Kukoyi, explained the title as meaning “She who supports her husband.”
Reacting to the honours, Okonkwo accused Igbo traditional rulers and elders of abandoning the sanctity of the region’s customs for financial considerations.
“What You So-Called Elders And Traditional Rulers Of Igbo Land Are Doing Is An Abomination,” he wrote.
He particularly questioned the conferment of a chieftaincy title on the wife of President Bola Tinubu, whom he described as the person “holding Mazi Nnamdi Kanu captive” and refusing to release him.
Okonkwo also criticised what he described as the presentation of “three handshakes” to the First Lady, claiming that the practice was against Igbo tradition and had never previously been done in the manner witnessed at the ceremony.
“Firstly, you’re giving a chieftaincy title to the wife of the man who is holding Mazi Nnamdi Kanu captive and has refused to release him. And the worst part is that you collected three handshakes from her, which is against Igbo tradition and has never been done before all because of money,” he alleged.
He went on to question why similar honours had allegedly not been extended to more Igbo women, while accusing the traditional institutions of treating the culture as a commercial transaction.
“How many Igbo women have you given chieftaincy titles to and given three handshakes? Yet you did it for an outsider because of money,” he said.
Okonkwo concluded by describing the development as an “eyesore” and warning that Igbo traditions were being monetised.
His comments come amid a growing wave of attention around the First Lady’s traditional honours across the South-East. Before the Anambra and Imo titles, Tinubu had also been conferred with the Ugosimba I of Enugu title in 2026.
The latest controversy has therefore placed the role of traditional rulers, cultural customs and the practice of honorary chieftaincy titles at the centre of public debate, with Okonkwo’s criticism adding a political dimension to the discussion.
