The Tiv, Idoma and Benue State governorship

North Central’s most populous state, Benue, was carved out of the then Benue-Plateau State on February 03, 1976 by Gen. Murtala Muhammed. The state has since then produced several civilian governors, military governors and administrators. The number of such state leaders is 15 at the time of writing this piece. The past leaders include; Col. Abdullahi Shelleng (February 03, 1976 to July 31, 1978); Group Capt. Adebayo Lawal (July 31, 1978 to September 30, 1979); Mr. Aper Aku (October 01, 1979 to December 31, 1983); Brig. Gen. Atom Kpera (January 04, 1984 to August 28, 1985); Group. Capt. Jonah Jang (August 28, 1985 to September 05, 1986); Col. Yohanna Madaki (September 05 to 25, 1986); Col. Ishaya Bakut (September 25, 1986 to July 22 1987); Col. Idris Garba (July 22, 1987 to July 22, 1988); Lt. Col. Fidelis Makka (July 22, 1988 to January 01, 1992); Rev. Fr. Moses Adasu (January 02, 1992 to November 17, 1993); Group Capt. Joshua Obademi (November 17, 1993 to August 22, 1996); Col. Aminu Kontagora (August 22, 1996 to August 10, 1998); Col. Dominic Oneya (August 10, 1998 to May 29, 1999); Mr. George Akume (May 29, 1999 to May 29, 2007) and Rt. Hon. Gabriel Suswam (May 29, 2007 to date).

The Tiv people of Benue are found in Benue East and Benue West senatorial districts while Idoma and Igede are in Benue South Senatorial District. In government, issues bordering on sharing of positions in the state between the Tiv and Idoma sometimes do crop up, but it’s always  resolved amicably. I will be quick to remind the Idoma who have continued to complain that they are being marginalised by Tiv to think deep and right. They should not expect to be at par or above the Tiv people in government because the Tiv people are 72 per cent of Benue population while the Idoma are less than 28 per cent. Also, some Idoma people holding appointments and positions at the federal level have allegedly been diverting opportunities meant for the Tiv to the Idoma on annual basis since 1999. The Idoma beneficiaries through clever means often go with over 90 per cent of opportunities allocated to Benue State. I wonder why they would continue in such acts and at the same time be crying foul in Benue State.

The Tiv people can and will always use their voting population to determine who governs Benue State. However, now that Benue South is still part of Benue State, when the Idoma desist from the above-stated acts and eventually Tiv, the second largest ethnic group in both Taraba and Nasarawa states next to Mumuye and Eggon respectively, produce the Governors of those states, then Idoma, the next to Tiv in Benue can also produce the Governor. Otherwise, the status quo should be maintained.

Donald Terfa Gaadi

donaldfame@ymail.com

07036026019, 08058435407

Abuja, Nigeria