By Amos Tauna
A tribal group from Benue State, north central Nigeria, Mdzough U Tiv, says it has observed the killing of the Tiv extraction since in January, 2018, which continued unceasingly without any realistic intervention from the federal government.
A statement by President-General of the Mdzough U Tiv, Kaduna State chapter, Shimakyaa Iorkyase, said, “This cruelty on human lives of Tiv extraction continued unceasingly with no proven and realistic intervention from the Federal Government headed by His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari – a man who was overwhelmingly voted for by the Benue sons and daughters.”
The statement lamented that President Buhari’s appointees had acquiescently ignored his orders and at some points blamed the Benue people and the Governor for enacting Anti-Open Grazing Bill.
The statement added, “They insinuated but very wrongly too that the Anti-Open Grazing law is the cause of the killings in the land.
“During these trying periods, both the Rulers and the Ruled were not only united but were seen to be united regardless of partisan divides.
“Chief Engr. Edward Ujege, the President-General of Mdzough U Tiv Worldwide with his counterpart in Idoma and Igede have been at their best in this regards.
“Our Governor, His Excellency Dr. Samuel Ortom, a man with very high pedigree rooted on sound impeccability has even vowed to pay the supreme prize in defending and standing for his people.”
Shimakyaa Iorkyase noted that with the 2019 general elections drawing close, Mdzough U Tiv, Kaduna State chapter was distraught to hear that the governor of the state has been given a ‘red card’ and has quitted the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC.
“While the Governor’s decision is highly respected and valued as he has the constitutional right to association, we appeal to all the Political leaders in the state not to hit up the polity by creating tendencies that could bred disunity at this trying time of ours.
“We must also insist that the Governor should be given all the necessary cooperation and avenues to exercise his divinely entrusted executive powers.
“Our elected representatives both at state and federal levels cum other stakeholders should also concentrate on making laws that will benefit the vast majority of Benue people and the nation at large.
“We CANNOT AFFORD to be divided now that the enemy is looking direct into our faces.
“While the Politicians pursue their respective political interests, the overall interest of the Tiv nation – protecting lives and preserving our ancestral land should be very paramount” .