Deeper Life Church pastor named as new Och’Idoma and traditional head of Nigeria's Idoma people

DEEPER Christian Life Ministry clergyman Pastor John Elaigwu Odogbo has emerged as the new Och’Idoma and paramount ruler of the Idoma nation in Benue State after a rigorous selection process.

In Nigeria's north-central geo-political zone, the Tiv and Idoma of Benue State are the two most populous ethnic groups and have emerged as very important these days with the recent murderous activities of Fulani cattle herdsmen. On October 10, the former monarch His Royal Highness, Agabaidu Elias Ikoyi Obekpa passed on and after his funeral the, search for a new king began.

With his palace in Oturkpo, the Och'Idoma is highly influential in the politics of Nigeria's Middle Belt and Governor Simon Ortom of Benue State, has promised that the process of selecting a new king would be transparent. Over the last week, the traditional kingmakers had to select between Pastor Odogbo and three other rivals in Andrew Idakwu, John Bamaiyi and Sunday Echono to replace Och'Idoma Obekpa was assumed office in 1997.

During the selection process, Pastor Odogbo got 19 of the 28 votes cast by the kingmakers, while Mr Echono got eight and Mr Idakwu got one. Earlier today, the Idoma traditional council on Thursday presented the Och’Idoma-elect to Governor Ortom at Government House, Makurdi.

Pastor  Odogbo, 52, was born on March 27,1969 as the fifth born to the family of Mr Elaigwu Ekoja  in Obagaji the headquarters of Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State. He is an accounting graduate of the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria and is currently doing a PhD at the Nasarawa State University,  Keffi.