WHY A PASTOR CAN BE THE OCH'IDOMA.(Traditional Ruler)

 

Ochidoma

I will attempt to clear some doubts concerning the matter of whether or not a pastor has the capacity to handle the Sceptre and sit on the IDOMA throne.

I will make my submission by looking at this matter from three cardinal angles viz: The Civil(legal), Customary (traditional) and Spiritual angles respectively.

Firstly, Legislation and  Right;  There is a law guiding the selection of all chieftaincy stools in Benue state Nigeria called Benue State Chieftency Law (2016 as amended) Under this law every IDOMA male is a potential king. 

Meaning any adult male irrespective of religious basis, have the right to via for any Chieftency position provided it agrees with already laid down procedures as stipulated by the law. 

His religious inclination is inconsequential. All chiftancy matters are legal and therefore acceptable before God almighty.

Secondly, Customary(Traditionally):  There is a difference between tradition and religion. Tradition or custom is simply a way of life. The way a people choose to live.

 While religion on the other hand is worship of a deity. Worship is a choice, it can't be imposed. Meaning no one can impose any religion on a particular tribe.

That's why religious beliefs cuts across tribes and tongues.You can not point at any tribe in this world that has a singular religion  traditions maybe one but not religion.

The IDOMA tribe has Peganism, Christianity and Islam as her major religions.

IDOMA also have some good traditions or customs that are generally accepted by all the religions, for instance the tradition kicks against adultery, stealing, killings and other social vices. All the religions also do same or probably so.

IDOMA tradition also permits certain cultures that some religions don't agree with. Eg animal sacrifices and pouring of libations on altars is a practice amongst pegans while the Christian faith abhors such.

So it has always been, no religion is officially accepted or rejected, everyone to his conscience.

Therefore the fact that our founding fathers where predominantly pegans doesn't make Peganism the official religion that every indigen must adopt.

Also the fact that almost all the previous Och'Idomas were pegans doesn't make it binding on their successors to do same.

There's no such law written or unwritten anywhere. No no no!

It's every Oche to his faith and to whom he chooses to worship.

No body will die on the throne simply because he doesn't subscribe to Peganism.

That would be a violation and trespass because the original twenty two district heads who handed their beads to one of their own who became the first Och'Idoma didn't make such covenant.

Whom an Och'Idoma must worship wasn't part of that arrangement.

Some are even saying that there's some strange compulsory sacrifices to be made before he eventually ascends the throne.

I make bold to tell you that there is no such law written or unwritten. 

He's already ascended. From the day he was sworn. Dec,2021.

Every other thing is mere ceremonial. He is already on the throne judging and ruling alright.The current Och'Idoma decides the direction. 

There is no council of chiefs or elders anywhere else that has any power to make an Och'Idoma do what he doesn't want to do.

The Och'Idoma throne is not a cult.

The palace is not a shrine where alekwu will be deciding from.

For your information all the chieftaincy thrones from the highest to the lowest are political. 

The state Government dictates the tune.The governor has power to select and remove the Oche. Not Alekwu.

Written by Apostle Tony Akor, the point man of Remnant Christian Network Otukpo and Member of Ogbadibo traditional council