.jpg)
All hope for renovation of the ruined
Ochi’Idoma’s Palace, Otukpo has been dashed
as some leaders in Idoma land have squashed
the efforts of a top local government chairman
in Idoma territory, famously known as Benue
Zone C to help reshape the palace.
This is coming barely two months after your
‘Kings of Community Tabloid’, Idoma Voice
reported how grasses have overtaken the Idoma
traditional ground.
The story, which triggered social media
tsunami, was highly commended by Idoma
natives both at home and in the Diaspora.
Idoma Voice reported that a step into the
palace brings shame and disappointment as
weeds are literally in contention of the throne
with the monarch. Grasses have found resting
place on the fence surrounding the Royal Villa.
The Och’Idoma’s Palace is the symbolic totem
of the Idoma community, the second largest
ethnic group in Benue State, comprising of no
less than 22 districts and 144 clans. The palace
is the residence of the spiritual head and
custodian of the tradition of the Idoma nation.
Apparently moved by the ‘heat’ of the story, an
in-law to a popular Idoma politician and a
current local government chairman tasked all
the 9 local government chairmen in the zone to
contribute N1m each for the renovation of the
pavilion at the Och’Idoma Square as well as the
repainting of the entire palace.
His request was an obvious attempt of the
venom on the rock as those concerned claimed
they ran out of cash.
“When the heat became unbearable, the
politician summoned all the zone C chairmen
and asked them to contribute N1m each for the
renovation of the palace. It was really sad that
they could not cough out N9m to help renovate
the decayed palace. They claimed they ran out
of cash,” a close insider told Idoma Voice in
Otukpo.
It was gathered that some persons promised to
contribute but not up to the one million-naira
requested.
Speaking further, the source said: “Is this how
other tribes threat their kings? I am sure this is
not how the Tor Tiv is being treated. I am sure
the Oba of Lagos’ palace is not like this. I am
ashamed,” the visibly angry king said blasted.
Efforts to reach secretary of the Idoma Area
Traditional Council for comment at the time of
this report were fruitless.
