Moves to suspend Adirahu Ny’Igede, Oga Ero, loom for disrespecting Och’Idoma

Barring any last-minute intervention, the first-class chief of the Igede community, CP (Rtd.) Oga Ero, Adirahu Ny’Igede, may face suspension by the Idoma Area Traditional Council (IATC) over what is being described as gross disrespect for the Och’Idoma stool.

IDOMA VOICE gathered that the crisis stems from the chieftaincy titles conferred by Oga Ero during the just-concluded Igede Agba cultural festival, an action the IATC insists was carried out without the approval of its chairman, the Och’Idoma, HRM Agabaidu Elaigwu Odogbo John.

The Idoma Council has since nullified the titles, citing the Benue State Chieftaincy Law of 2016 (as amended), Part II, Section 7(d), which recognizes the IATC as the supreme traditional authority within Benue South.

In its statement, the Council declared: “Such conferments are null, void, and of no legal, customary, or traditional effect. The Idoma Area Traditional Council remains the legally constituted and government-recognized traditional authority over the Idoma nation, and any acts contrary to its directives constitute a breach of extant law.”

Despite the official query issued to him, Oga Ero has yet to respond or tender an apology to the Och’Idoma, palace sources confirmed.

According to insiders, the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs has already been notified. “He could be suspended if he doesn’t provide a satisfactory response to the query,” a source said.

“I don’t think it has reached the point of dethronement. It’s just a minor issue that could be resolved amicably, but they’re blowing it out of proportion.”

Meanwhile, the development has ignited heated debate between Idoma and Igede communities, especially across social media, with many interpreting the feud as a fresh chapter in the age-long rivalry between the two ehtnic groups.