The Tragedy of An Idoma Governor – Dr. Onjefu Okidu

By all historical accounts, the Idoma traditional society was among the most progressive in the world. Not a few historians of rigor have evinced an honest account of the richness of the Idoma traditional political system, culture, economy, social life and humanity. Very central to the people was an intense loyalty to everyone bound to them by ties of kinship and goodness.

This implies that the Idoma traditional society was not peopled by black men who could not “think” and who have contributed nothing to civilization as western intellectuals of the 19th century had openly postulated.

However, with the infiltration of the Victorian life in the 19th century, the extensive glamorous Elizabethan life in the 20th century and the subsequent institutionalization of democracy, their political leaders began to set a dubious example of relaxing in comfort to enjoy the new tastes of civilization.

Nevertheless, the period immediately after colonialism saw great Idoma political leaders putting up sincere efforts devoid of greed, bloodiness and avarice in the long-term development of Idomaland.

In fact, the so-called Idoma “big men” of today benefitted from the dividends of their great strides.

As in most parts of Nigeria, development in Idomaland is hindered by individual adoration in which conceptions of status and privilege take priority over those of universality, equity and due process.

Hence, their economy has been overwhelmed by the sharing ideology while their politics has been governed by thugs who are brazenly given the mandate to harass, intimidate, attack, kidnap, maim and kill, snatch ballot boxes, obstruct electoral processes and rig elections.

Consequently, the people have sunk ever deeper into poverty. In particular, the people grew poorer on average between 1999 and 2015.

Three quarters of the population live in extreme poverty. In fact, Otukpo, the headquarters of the Idoma people has literarily retained its ancient grey zincs.

The elements that hit your sight as you enter the town from Abuja are the carcass of a burnt-brick company that accommodates an unhygienic palm wine joint, a dilapidated general hospital and an aging college.

But that is not the tragic aspect of the people’s current quest for an Idoma governor.

The tragedy is their emphasis and insistence that demagogues must be the fulcrum around which the agitation activities must revolve. And of course, for now, the loud speakers of the Idoma Governor agitation do not attract the attention of doubting Idoma sons and daughters, and it will probably remain so for a long time.

Apparently, the question that may be on their minds is what is the use of an Idoma Governor that will come and further inflict misery on the people?

In fact, recently, one was quoted as saying that “Idomas were not ripe to be Governor of Benue State.” And he apparently said so in order to advance his political ambition.

Sadly, some of those who are in the forefront of the present agitation were the ones who defended the position very truculently for selfish gains.

So far, the conversations on an Idoma Governor are a reflection of political demagogue-centered conversations in Idomaland which demonstrates that the crisis of underdevelopment in the land is very far from over.

How the Idomas got to where they are as a people would be apparent if their conversations had focused on how they can genuinely resolve their marginalization and abject poverty that political demagogues have facilitated.

The world is getting together through collective efforts and communities must be strong and organized. That strength begins with rooted and genuine political consciousness, economic prosperity and domestic well-being.

The Idoma people have a duty to develop their political and economic potentials, and free themselves from unnecessary stress and dependency on exploitative political leaders.

As has been pointed out over and over again, “there is no viable alternative to the Idoma people sincerely taking effective charge of their destiny.”

When they stop falling for the lies of dubious conservationists and political demagogues, they take away the powers that they have to continue to destroy the people’s collective force and common wealth.

Dr. Onjefu Okidu writes from Ilorin okidu2002@yahoo.com