The Eze Ndígbo in Ghana has dismissed claims circulating online that he parades himself as a king, insisting that his position is strictly a cultural leadership role for the Igbo community in the diaspora.
Speaking when popular social commentator, Verydarkman (VDM), visited his palace, the Eze explained that the title “Eze Ndígbo” should not be mistaken for kingship in Ghana.
“The title Eze Ndígbo does not mean ‘king’ in Ghana. It is simply a cultural leadership position created to help Igbos in the diaspora stay united and keep their traditions alive. Our Ghanaian hosts understand this very well, and that is why we are living peacefully here,” he said.
The leader noted that the institution of Eze Ndígbo in Ghana has existed for over 35 years, adding that he is not the first to occupy the position. According to him, his “only offence” was winning an election in 2013, which some opponents have not forgiven, hence the negative stories being spread about him.
He also pointed out that other ethnic and foreign communities in Ghana have similar cultural leaders. “The Yoruba in Ghana have their Oba. Other communities, including Moroccans and Chinese, also have their cultural leaders. Igbo people having an Eze Ndígbo is not strange or threatening to anybody,” he said.
Addressing the controversy over a viral video about an “Igbo village,” the Eze clarified that the project was conceived in 2013 but never took off due to land disputes. He explained that the idea was to establish a cultural and commercial hub with schools, shopping malls, and cultural centres—similar to “Chinatown” created by the Chinese community in Ghana.
“If we had succeeded, it would have been a place of pride, not a kingdom inside another man’s country,” he added.
On his relationship with traditional rulers in Nigeria, the Eze stressed that he does not equate himself with monarchs. “When the Ooni of Ife or any other Nigerian king visits, I step down from this seat and they take over. I become their subject, because I am not a king. I don’t even parade myself as a king when I travel to Nigeria,” he clarified.
He further addressed the issue of Igbo shops locked by Ghanaian authorities, noting that it was a result of the country’s trade laws which prohibit foreigners from engaging in retail business. According to him, many Igbo traders were compelled into retail because of challenges in wholesale trade, where buyers often defaulted on payments.
