Leader of the committee for the recent election of the Och’Idoma, Mr. Ekpe Ogbu, has reaffirmed that the new Och’Idoma, Chief John Odogbo was elected in a credible, transparent and fair election and in strict adherence to due process and the provisions of the Benue State Chieftaincy Law 2016.
He stated this during a press conference in Makurdi, on Tuesday, in response to a press statement issued by a socio-cultural group, Ochetoha K’Idoma, in which the group described the recently concluded election as a sham.
The Next Edition recalls that an Idoma socio-cultural Organization, OchetohaK’Idoma had rejected the selection of Chief John Elaigwu Odogbo as the new Och’Idoma.
The group, in a statement signed by its President, AVM Toni Adokwu (Rtd), described the selection process as a sham alleging that traditional rulers who formed the selection committee were threatened with sack if they failed to vote for government’s preferred candidate.
Mr. Ogbu who described their allegation as unfortunate recalled 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.
According to him, “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.
“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,” he said
Speaking on the allegation of interference by the Governor Samuel Ortom, Mr. Ogbu said it was false saying the Governor had assured the people of Idoma that he was not going to interfere and he kept to his promise.
He called on every indigene of Idoma Kingdom to rather think of what to do to build on the successful and peaceful emergence of the new Agabaidu to further advance the cause of the Kingdom.
READ ALSO: FG: Why We Are Yet To Declare Bandits As Terrorists
“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”he said.
Also speaking, Special Adviser to the State Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Ken Achabo, expressed shock at the group saying it was evident that politicians were trying to adulterate and infiltrate the traditional Institution.
Achabo who noted that the same law produced 10 first class chief and 46 third class chiefs recently said up till now, no traditional ruler has raise an objection to the election exercise that held in Otukpo.
He advised the people to come together to support the new Och’Idoma to uplift the traditional institutions in Idoma land and in Benue as a whole.
The Ochetoha K’Idoma had rejected the entire process and declared it as a charade of misguided persons with intent to impose themselves and their cronies on the Idoma people.
