“Some of us here are being asked to go and work, but the young people in the South-East are so agitated they can even beat us. They see us as sellouts. We come to Abuja — they may think we’ve come to collect money and then keep quiet,” he added.

Agubuzu also questioned the structure of the Southern Nigerian Traditional Rulers Council, insisting that “there is nothing like a Southern Traditional Rulers Council” representing the entire South.

He warned against allocating resources through a body he claimed did not reflect the diversity of traditional institutions in the region.

“If you want to deal with us, deal with us in the South-East. If you have resources for us, give it to us. Don’t give it to people who come and say they represent a traditional rulers council,” he said.

However, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, dismissed claims of disunity, describing the Southern Nigerian Traditional Rulers Council as optional but formidable.

He said membership of the council was voluntary and maintained that traditional rulers across the South were working together.

“You don’t need to join us if you don’t want to, but it is a force — a formidable force — among traditional institutions,” he said, adding that there was no division among southern monarchs.

Similarly, the Eze Aro IX, Dr Eberechukwu Oji, who identified himself as the Publicity Secretary of the council, said the body was inaugurated in Oyo State and had since remained active, holding its annual general meeting in Ogun State and undertaking joint initiatives.

The summit, convened by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, brought together traditional and religious leaders from across the country to endorse ongoing health sector reforms.

In her keynote address, the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, urged traditional and religious leaders to support the National Community Food Bank Programme, which she said would be rolled out nationwide in April. She formally flagged off the programme.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, described the gathering as the first comprehensive engagement with traditional and religious leaders since the commencement of health sector reforms over two years ago.