My dear friends, I am before you this morning to respond to a Press Statement issued by a socio-cultural group, Ochetoha K’Idoma, about the recently concluded election of a new Och’Idoma, HRH Dr. John Elaigwu Odogbo.
You will recall that following the embarking on a permanent hunting expedition by the Och’Idoma the Fourth, His Royal Majesty, Agabaidu Elias Ikoyi Obekpa, the provisions of the Benue State Chieftaincy Law 2016 were duly invoked for the election of a new Paramount Ruler of the Idoma Kingdom. This process culminated in the selection of a new Och’Idoma on Thursday, December 30, 2021 at Otukpo, the traditional headquarters of the Idoma Kingdom. After the screening in line with the provisions of the Law, three candidates nominated for the position out of five that indicated interest to occupy the position, while out of the eligible 31 kingmakers, 28 were physically present and voted.
At the end of the counting of votes, Dr. John Elaigwu Odogbo scored 19 votes to emerge the Och’Idoma elect while his closest rival, Arch. Sunny Echono scored 8 votes, with Chief Andrew Idakpo taking the rear with a distant 1 vote.
As the leader of the committee that conducted the election, I hereby reaffirm the credibility, transparency, fairness and strict adherence to due process and the provisions of the Benue State Chieftaincy Law 2016 throughout the process of the election that produced the Och’Idoma Elect. I have received congratulatory messages from well-meaning people of Idoma Kingdom for conducting a peaceful and transparent election that has brought forth the paramount ruler Elect.
Gentlemen of the Press, given this background, you can therefore appreciate the disbelief and shock with which I read the press statement by the Ochetoha K’Idoma raising wide allegations and describing the election in very uncomplimentary terms. It is rather unfortunate that a seemingly respectable organisation like Ochetoha K’Idoma would come out with a statement disparaging a process adjudged to be fair and transparent, yet failed to point at specific instances of misnomer. The statement did not point out a single provision of the Chieftaincy Law 2016 that was abused. This Law has been used in the past to elect First Class, Second Class and Third Class Chiefs successfully in Idoma Land without complaint from any quarter including Ochetoha K’Idoma. It is the same Law that was used to elect the new Och’Idoma and no provision of the Law was breached in the process.
On the allegation of interference by the Governor of Benue State, His Excellency, Samuel Ortom, nothing can be further from the truth! The Governor had assured the people of Idoma that he was not going to interfere and he kept to his promise.
Yes, all the candidates may have individually consulted the governor on their ambitions, and there is no crime in that. However, as a true father and in keeping with his promise, he encouraged all of them but told them clearly that he had no preferred candidate. He assured them that he would stand by the choice of Idoma people. And that is exactly what he has done. For Ochetoha K’Idoma to turn around and accuse him of interference is the most uncharitable thing to allege!
As an Idoma son myself, I would have thought that every indigene of Idoma Kingdom would now be thinking of what to do to build on the successful and peaceful emergence of our new Agabaidu to further advance the cause of the Kingdom. It is therefore surprising that a body which prides itself with being the champion of development of the area would choose to deliberately sow the seed of discord and disharmony among the people.
Gentlemen of the Press, the question we need to ask is: why is Ochetoha K’Idoma throwing up these baseless allegations capable of generating bad blood and enmity among the same people they claim to be representing? Whose interest is the organisation actually out to protect and project? Is Ochetoha K’Idoma actually acting as an umbrella for every Idoma person? They should be impartial and protective of all the candidates in the race. Is it not surprising that none of the candidates who went into the selection has raised any objection, yet Ochetoha K’Idoma which was not a candidate is raising unjustifiable dust? Could the allegation in some quarters, that Ochetoha K’Idoma actually had a preferred candidate and that their anger over the defeat of their candidate is what is pushing them on this undignified path they have chosen, be true? Could the allegation that if their preferred candidate had won, they would have clapped their hands and applauded the exercise, be true?
Well, I do not want to dwell so much on the actual intentions of Ochetoha K’Idoma. However, leadership at all levels must be sincere and fair at all times. As far as the recent selection of a new Paramount Ruler for the Idoma Kingdom is concerned, the Benue State Government, ably led by His Excellency, Samuel Ortom, showed quality leadership. It enforced compliance with due process and the rule of law. It ensured transparency, fairness, equity and justice. Calling it names will not change these facts. We encourage the leadership of Ochetoha K’Idoma to equally show that it is truly committed to the stated objectives of the association and stand for all Idoma children irrespective of their place of birth or status in society. They should support the Benue State Government in promoting peace, brotherliness, fairness, equity and justice. They should desist from hiding under the umbrella of the socio-cultural group to fight for personal interests at the expense of the larger population they claim to represent.
In conclusion, my dear friends of the Press, His Excellency, Samuel Ortom has nothing personal to gain from who becomes the Och’Idoma and therefore had no reason to be interested in a particular candidate.
His only promise was that he would stand by the choice of the people of Idoma Kingdom and that is what he has done. The new Och’Idoma is a product of a transparent, fair and lawful process. The vituperations of the Ochetoha K’Idoma on the issue are totally baseless, unfounded and should be completely ignored.
Thank you. God bless you.
