Ochetoha rejects new Och’Idoma, Pastor John Elaigwu, gives reasons

The Idoma socio-cultural Organization known as OchetohaK’Idoma has rejected the emergence of Pastor John Elaigwu Odogbo as the new Och’Idoma.

The apex social cultural organisation in a statement signed by its President, AVM. Toni Adokwu (Rtd), and made available to newsmen on Sunday while describing the selection process as a sham.
The OchetohaK’Idoma, in the statement, said it had earlier alleged fears that the selection of the new Och’Idoma may be compromised.

“The Ochtoha K’Idoma on Wednesday, 29th December 2021 issued a public statement alleging fears that the selection of the new Och’Idoma scheduled for Thursday. 30th December 2021 may be compromised.

“We also deposed that a new traditional ruler would likely be imposed on the Idoma nation by some power that be, using the name of the Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Samuel Ortom.

In the said public statement, we categorically affirmed that a number of traditional rulers who would be members of the Selection Committee, were invited to Makurdi on Tuesday, 28th December, 2021 ostensibly by the Governor and instructed to vote for a particular candidate or be sacked.”

The group further decried the perceived interference of some interested parties foreign to the Idoma nation and called on government to ensure a level playing ground for a fair and credible selection of the emerging Och’Idoma.

They alleged that the foreign interference became glaring when the parties outside the Idoma nation came up clandestinely strong in support of the candidate said to have been selected.

“Furthermore, the actions of government officials who superintended over the sham, as well as the visible fear infused into the traditional rulers over the threat of sack if they failed to comply with the alleged instruction from the Governor, affirm our doubts.

The group alleged that as a responsible and major stakeholder in the growth and development of Idoma land, its apprehension about the process leading to the emergence of the new Och’Idoma were totally ignored by the Benue State Government.

“The action is at variance with the earlier declaration of Governor Samuel Ortom who publicly pledged not to interfere in the selection of the new Och’Idoma. The silence and apparent rejection of our public statement were clear evidence of the Governor intention or acceptance to impose a new Och’Idoma on our people.”

“Accordingly, the OchetohaK’Idoma watched with disgust and disappointment, the bastardization process of  selecting a new Och’Idoma for the Idoma nation.

“In view of these glaring pieces of evidence, OchetohaK’Idoma hereby totally rejects the entire process and declares it as a charade of misguided persons with intent to impose themselves and their cronies on the Idoma people.

“The disquiet within Otukpo and the avalanche of disbelief among the Idoma people against the imposition of a new Och’Idoma is a clear testament of our position to reject the so called selection process.

“We therefore call on the Idoma people to collectively reject the result while we follow due process to resolve the anomaly. Meanwhile, Ochetoha K’Idoma entreats all Idoma sons and daughters to remain calm and law abiding,” the group said.