A cleryman, Pastor John Elaigwu Odogbo of the Deeper Life Bible Church has emerged as the paramount ruler elect of Idomaland.
He emerged through an election conducted by kingmakers.
The four contenders for the stool were Andrew Idakwu, John Bamaiyi, Sunday Echono, and Pastor John Eliagwu Odogbo.
At the end of the voting by the kingmakers, Andrew Idakwu got one vote, Pastor John Elaigwu Odogbo got 19 votes while Sunday Echono got eight votes.
Idoma traditional council on Thursday presented the Och’Idoma-elect to the state governor, Samuel Ortom, at the government house, Makurdi.
The paramount ruler-elect hails from Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.
The paramount ruler of Idomaland, His Royal Highness Elias Ikoyi Obekpa joined his ancestors in October 2021, he was a native of Ogbadibo and ascended the throne in 1996 following the exit of HRM Abraham Ajene Okpabi.
Ortom hailed the Idoma nation for the selection of their new monarch, adding that he had always stood for equity, transparency, and justice.
He said that appointment belongs to God who chooses one and anoints such person to do His will.
“We will find a convenient day to do the coronation. I want the contribution of the traditional rulers to my administration,” Ortom said.
The new Ochi’Idoma was born on March 27, 1969 to the family of Elaigwu Ekoja as the fifth child in Obagaji, the headquarters of Agatu Local Government Area of the state.
He is a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (1994) with degree in Accounting and currently studying for his doctorate degree.
