How Adirahu Ny’Igede spat on Och’Idoma’s throne, never nominated Tinubu, Akume for titles

Fresh facts have emerged over the controversy trailing the nullification of titles conferred during the 2025 Igede Agba festival by CP (Rtd.) Oga Ero, the Adirahu Ny’Igede.

Exclusive findings by IDOMA VOICE confirm that at no point did the Adirahu nominate President Bola Tinubu or Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, for any honour in his correspondence with the Och’Idoma.

In August 2025, ahead of the Igede Agba festival, the Adirahu wrote to the Och’Idoma, Agabaidu Dr. Elaigwu Odogbo Obagaji John, informing him of the planned celebrations, with the conferment of chieftaincy titles listed among the activities.

But in his written response, the Och’Idoma directed Oga Ero to drop the conferment of titles until the Idoma Area Traditional Council (IATC) could meet and take a collective decision. The paramount ruler stressed caution, citing rising insecurity in the region, and reminded him that several dignitaries, including Governor Hyacinth Alia and his deputy, had already been honoured during his second year on the throne.

Sensing that the Adirahu might defy his instruction, the Och’Idoma went further to issue a circular ordering that no king within Benue South should confer any title without the express approval of the IATC.

Despite this clear directive, the Adirahu went ahead on September, 2025, to confer titles. The action, seen as outright defiance, prompted the IATC to declare the exercise null and void, insisting it had “no legal, customary, or traditional effect.”

Shortly afterwards, reports surfaced in some media outlets suggesting that President Tinubu and SGF Akume were among those whose titles were nullified.

But palace records and letters obtained by IDOMA VOICE show that the names mentioned in the August correspondence were only Nelson Alapa, Patrick Idoko, and a few others.

A palace source dismissed the media reports as deliberate misinformation:

“That is a fat lie. Oga Ero never told the Och’Idoma he was honouring Tinubu or Akume. The only names in his letter were Nelson Alapa, Patrick Idoko, and others. Let him bring out the letter if Tinubu or Akume’s names are there.”

Another insider said the Adirahu’s action amounted to “a slap on the IATC,” insisting that he must face the consequences:

“Oga Ero is not above the law. His action is a direct insult to the authority of the Idoma Area Traditional Council. He must be suspended to serve as a deterrent. In Zone C, he is not even among the top four monarchs. The Ad’Enone, Ad’Ogbadibo, and Ad’Otukpo are ahead of him. He remains answerable to the Och’Idoma. A tree cannot make a forest.”