It was the gathering of eminent Nigerians at Gboko, the traditional seat of the Tiv nation to witness the coronation of Prof. James Ayatse as a new Tor Tiv, after the demise of HRH Alfred Torkula.
Ordinarily, the Och’Idoma who the acting chairman of the state council of Chiefs was expected to be part of the entire process.
He wasn’t carried along, well, am not surprise because that has become a practice that the Idom have become used to.
The most painful aspect which I felt is a slap on the entire Idoma Nation was the way and manner the Och’Idoma, HRH Elias Ikoyi Obekpa was treated at the reception in honour of the new Tor Tiv.
First and foremost, the Master of Ceremony (MC) deliberately refused to recognise the Royal presence of Och’Idoma at the event.
Even the guests from other states were surprised that the custodian of Idoma culture was ignored as though his presence was not significant.
The last straw that broke the Carmel’s back was when the Governor of Benue state, His Excellency, Dr. Samuel Ortom failed to recognise the Idoma traditional Father.
Why should the state governor feigned ignorance that the Och’Idoma out to be recognised?
Isn’t that an orchestrated plan to humiliate the Idoma people? Isn’t that a clear indication that the Tivs have no iota of respect for the Idoma people?
Even if they have no respect for the Idoma people, at least they should have pretended in such gathering where other ethnic nationalities were present.
The Tiv nation owe Idoma people a huge apology.
The governor should as a matter of urgency pay a courtesy call to the Palace of Och’Idoma and apologise to His HRH, Agabaidu, the Och’Idoma and entire idoma people.
The Governor and the new Tor Tiv used the occasion to also complain bitterly about the marginalisation of the Tiv at the national level. Anyway, I don’t want to comment about that because it is a topic for another day, but I must remind the governor and HRH Prof. James Ayatse, Tor Tiv they should the preaching from Benue state where no Idoma man never occupied the position of governor, Chief Judge and the speaker of the state since the creation of Benue state, 1976.
I think the Idomas are more marginalsed. Well, that’s for another day.
The humiliation of the Och’Idoma is an embarrassment and a disgrace to all Idoma people and we condemned it in strong terms.
Long live Benue state.
Long live Idoma Nation
Long live “Agabaidu” the Och’Idoma
Meanwhile, the ethnic group has refused to apologized for disgracing the Idoma royal father, but instead slammed former Senate President, David Mark for refusing to show up at the coronation.
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Treasure Orokpo
A multi-talented individual with a passion for diverse fields, Treasure Orokpo is a trained journalist, skilled cook, and AI enthusiast. When she's not uncovering the latest stories, you can find her whipping up culinary creations in the kitchen and entertainment.
