By: Dr. Ochoga E. Ochoga
In my previous post, I discussed the meaninglessness of the Agaba-Ortom’s New Year’s Day edict, which aims to alter the Idoma funeral customs that have long been associated with the Kwararafa culture.
There is little doubt that the legitimacy of the traditional authorities and the people’s adherence to their treasured values are the foundations of customary law’s enforceability.
The Ochi’doma’s Palace’s new occupant is struggling with a problem of legitimacy. The Idoma’s are not familiar with the law that served as the foundation for his election or appointment. That’s the reason I called him Agaba-Ortom, as did many Idoma.
He is undoubtedly not an Agaba-idu. The Idoma people have made a very strong statement, speaking truth to power with their scream. The primary benefactor and his Idoma bagmen have ended their eight years of hardship in Benue because he is unsure about his continued presence in the Palace. They won’t have a good history.
With their departure, Agaba-Ortom is now facing a crisis of legitimacy. Naturally, he is planning to gain the backing of the newly elected sheriff, who has pledged to redefine Benue throughout the entire state.
Agaba-Ortom has, in fact, utilised the Governor’s Thank You Tour to Otukpo to confirm chieftaincy title on him. Is the governor really in need of it? Without a doubt, he works as a pastor .Unlike his immediate predecessor, he is not a believer in political hallelujahs and sycophancy.
Remind the governor that there are court proceedings contesting his validity because the chieftaincy confirmed on him is to lobby for his political cover. It goes without saying that many well-meaning Idoma have the immediate intention to overthrow Agaba-Ortom.
I observed a lengthy list of individuals who Agaba-Ortom was going to confirm as chieftains in the coming days. I laughed as I went through the list. Agaba-Ortom has resorted to extreme means in an attempt to justify his holding the esteemed seat of Ochi’Idoma.
He really is desperate to use the conventional authority as a tool to buy loyalty. I couldn’t stop laughing because this man has created a lengthy list of honorific traditional title recipients although claiming he doesn’t believe in traditions or Idoma customs.
How ironic that a man surrounded with conceptual confusion should be? He is undoubtedly experiencing a crisis of legitimacy, thus in order to maintain his status as an Agaba-Ortom, he is planning to forge political ties. What a neo-king’s abnormal mindset.
A former Benue State finance commissioner from the previous administration is one of the awardees. There are a lot of interesting questions raised by his nomination. This individual served as the commissioner of finance during the most heinous Benue administration in history. And the State, which, in spite of having ample resources at its disposal, had nothing, nothing at all, to show.
Agaba-Ortom is honouring him, though,it’s possible that he is paying him tribute for financing his election as Agaba-Ortom; as such, he served as finance commissioner at the time Ortom exploited the government apparatus to secure his victory.
Unquestionably, Agaba-Ortom is appreciative of the honourable commissioner and should bestow upon him an honoured customary title. I wonder if Agaba-Ortom would be able to persuade the State Governor to revoke the investigation against the previous administration, which is why the Idoma has decided that the Commissioner of Finance is deserving of honours.
This suggests that there were no corrupt activities during the previous administration because the former commissioner of finance is not dishonest. Governor Alia was therefore incorrect to establish the investigation panel.
What a superlative king Ortom bestowed upon the Idoma? The Idoma must have deserved more than this.
Included in the list of recipients is the female representative of the Ado constituency in the Benue State House of Assembly. Given that I have a strong bond with Agila, I should be happy to get such an honour.
Beyond the exhilaration of patrimonial regard, though, I wonder if the Idoma Traditional Council will recognise her just because she is a female politician and the deputy speaker. He still needs to clarify the foundation for her nomination in light of her contributions to Agila, Ado, and Idoma community development in general.
She is not alone in this; almost all of the recipients are politicians. By bestowing honorary traditional title on Idoma politicians who have presided over the squandering of our shared wealth, Agaba-Ortom is once more bastardizing Idoma culture. What does sympathy mean? Without a doubt, Agaba-Ortom is on a quest to secure the political elite’s support for his ongoing resignation as an Agaba-Ortom.
My emotions are conflicted over the individuals who made the list of Idoma recipients that Agaba-Ortom recognised and who truly deserved to be honoured with an Idoma recognition. I wish an Agaba-idu had bestowed upon them such honour.
The author can be reached via ochogaeochoga@gmail.com
