The Eze Ndígbo in Ghana spoke with Verydarkman (VDM) during a visit to his palace, addressing various claims and misconceptions about his position and activities.
The Eze explained that the title Eze Ndígbo does not translate to “king” in Ghana. Instead, it is a cultural leadership position created to help Igbos in the diaspora maintain unity and preserve their traditions.
“Our Ghanaian hosts understand this very well, and that is why we are living peacefully here,” he said.
He revealed that there has been an Eze Ndígbo in Ghana for more than 30 years, and he is not the first to hold the position.
According to him, his only “crime” is that he won the election in 2013 against some individuals who have since been spreading false stories about him.
The Eze Ndígbo further explained that the Yoruba in Ghana have their Oba, and other communities like Moroccans and Chinese have their cultural leaders. Having an Eze Ndígbo for Igbo people is not unusual or a threat to anyone.
Regarding a viral video about an “Igbo village,” he clarified that the project began in 2013 but did not materialize due to a land dispute.
The intention was to create a space with schools, a shopping mall, and cultural centers—similar to the Chinese Chinatown in Ghana.
“If we had succeeded, it would have been a place of pride, not a kingdom inside another man’s country,” he explained.
Speaking about his interactions with Nigerian monarchs, he said, “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.”
On the matter of locked Igbo shops in Ghana, he attributed this to Ghana’s trade laws prohibiting foreigners from retail trading.
Many Igbo traders were forced into retail because local buyers often refused to pay after receiving supplies.
Despite other foreigners also engaging in retail, the law seems to impact Igbos more significantly.
“I have been meeting with authorities, and things are already getting better,” he said with confidence.
He also pointed out that the house referred to as his “palace” is actually his personal home, built before he became Eze Ndígbo.
“I built it because God blessed me as a businessman. Later, I was chosen as Eze Ndígbo, but that doesn’t make me a king,” he said.
He concluded by emphasizing his mission to preserve Igbo culture, unite his people, and maintain good relations with their Ghanaian hosts.
“I Am Not a King in Ghana, I Am Just Eze Ndígbo,” he reiterated.