Owukpa’s Itabono Ward 2, Ogbadibo Local Government Area, Benue State, has experienced a new leadership crisis after traditional chiefs and elders allegedly rejected an attempt to impose a new Ward Head.
In keeping with the long-standing tradition of nominating and electing candidates, the selection meeting was scheduled for September 15, 2025, at the District Secretariat in Otukpo. Instead, amid charges of manipulation and autocratic meddling, the process collapsed into chaos.
According to video evidence and community sources, the Itabono Union of Owukpa (OUO) and local chiefs and elders opposed High Chief Emmanuel Odeh, also known as “Adah Ogbadibo,” from Ehaje Ward 1 for allegedly meddling. Odeh was charged with installing a preferred candidate by circumventing the consensus of the community.
According to one candidate, the High Chief publicly announced his choice of successor, thereby ignoring popular opinion. The exercise was declared void and postponed by organizers after it was reported that elders and chiefs were not allowed to cast ballots or form a line behind their candidates.
When Chief Oliver Onche Obekpa, another candidate, was disqualified from running for office on the grounds that his Och’Idu clan is “not gazetted” to fill the position—a decision that critics say is discriminatory—tensions increased even more.
Itabono chiefs and community associations issued a joint statement demanding a new, open selection process and vowing to not recognize any ward head imposed outside of their collective decision.
As locals wait for the announcement of a new date for the exercise, tensions are still high.
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