The Benue State Government has set 30th December 2021 for the selection of a new Och’Idoma and chairman Idoma Tradition Council to replace Elias Ikoyi Obekpa who passed since October.
State Governor Samuel Ortom announced this at a meeting with stakeholders from the Benue South Senatorial district in the Government House Makurdi.
The Governor stated that the new date was arrived at in line with the Benue State Chieftaincy law which stipulates that a new paramount leader should be selected three months after demise of the previous one.
He then directed the people of Benue South to convene a meeting of all stakeholders on December 15th, 2021 which should be attended by all, irrespective of party affiliations to discuss and determine a suitable replacement for the late Och’Idoma.
Governor Ortom however noted that where a consensus arrangement fails, the King Makers would go into a transparent process to vote among the contending candidates.
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Governor Ortom assured the stakeholders that he will not interfere in the process, adding that to make the process.
Special Adviser to the Governor, Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs,Kenneth Achabo who read part of the Chieftaincy law to give a guide to the selection process said the Och’Idoma will be selected on rotational basis.
Achabo said the candidate to be considered for the stool must be an Idoma or Igede by descent, and must not beless than forty years, be physically and mentally fit and be conversant with Idoma or Igede culture and must not have been convicted of any criminal offence at any time.
The Acting Och’Idoma, George Edeh, Och’Apa/Agatu, Baba Odangla and that of Otukpo/Ohimini, Emmanuel Okochi as well as Senator Abba Morro thanked the Governor for initiating the process and assured that it would be smooth and transparent.
( Editor, Omor Bazuaye)
