Nigerian actor and filmmaker, Yul Edochie, has sparked public discussion after urging the Igbo people to return to their ancestral roots when selecting traditional rulers.
In a strongly worded message shared via Instagram, the controversial actor expressed deep concern over what he described as the increasing abandonment of Igbo cultural practices.
Edochie stressed that traditional rulers should not be chosen through elections or political appointments, but rather by sacred and time-honoured customs handed down from their ancestors. He warned that allowing government involvement in the selection of monarchs only weakens the spiritual and moral authority of such leaders.
‘Rulers must be chosen by the deity’
According to Edochie, a true traditional ruler must be a core traditionalist, chosen not by men but by the deity of the land. He insisted that such a person must take a sacred oath to protect truth, promote peace, foster unity, and reject evil in all its forms.
“A traditional ruler must be selected by the deity of the land,” he wrote. “Then he will swear before the deity to uphold truth, unity, and peace, and shun evil. Any day he goes against the oath, the deity will strike him down.”
Edochie explained that this spiritual bond ensures that the ruler remains accountable to the people and to a higher power. He argued that when a ruler understands that divine punishment awaits those who break their oath, they are more likely to lead with integrity and courage.
Cultural erosion and social breakdown
In his post, the actor voiced concern over the rapid erosion of cultural values among the Igbo. He blamed this cultural drift for the rise in crime and social instability across many communities.
“We have now embraced too many of the white man’s ways and destroyed our society with it,” he said. “That’s why there’s so much crime in our communities today.”
He described this shift toward foreign practices as a dangerous trend that has stripped Igbo society of its spiritual foundations. According to him, traditions that once guided moral conduct and ensured accountability have been replaced with systems that encourage corruption and lawlessness.
Call for a cultural reawakening
Edochie called on Ndi Igbo people of Igbo descent to retrace their steps and restore the cultural systems that once held their communities together. He said reclaiming these ancestral practices is the only way to revive the strength, dignity, and spiritual power of the Igbo nation.
“It’s time to retrace our steps and bring back our glory,” he said. “Ndi Igbo, stop messing up our tradition. A traditional ruler must be selected traditionally, not by election or the government.”
He emphasised that traditional methods are not just symbolic, but necessary for ensuring that leaders are deeply rooted in the customs, values, and spiritual beliefs of the people they serve.
Mixed reactions trail the statement
While many followers praised Edochie for standing up in defence of Igbo heritage, others felt his message lacked practical solutions. Some critics argued that blending modern governance with tradition is inevitable in today’s world. However, Edochie remained firm in his position, insisting that sacred traditions must be protected at all costs.
As debates around cultural preservation continue across Nigeria, Edochie’s message has added to the growing calls for indigenous communities to hold firmly to their roots.
With his message, the actor has once again shown that he is not afraid to wade into controversial waters, this time, by defending tradition in an age of change.
Read Also: I will never abandon the ways of my forefathers —Yul Edochie
