Tiv, Idoma groups clash over Benue ministerial nominee, Utsev

As the Senate screens President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ministerial nominees, two prominent groups from Benue state are at loggerhead on the nominee from the state, Prof Joseph Utsev.

The Tiv Youth Council Worldwide has faulted the Coalition of Idoma professionals led by one Hon. Inalegwu Adaje for coming out in the open to oppose Utsev nomination.

The Tiv Youths led by Mike Msuaan described the stance of the Idoma professionals as not only regrettable but a clear case of a display of ignorance of the workings of democracy.

He insisted that the Idoma Coalition lacks the moral right to cry out over alleged marginalisation of the Idoma nation on the issue.

Going down memory lane, Msuaan remind the Coalition of Idoma professionals that in 2007, David Mark was made Senate president. In 2011, Abba Moro was appointed substantive minister of interior from the same idoma extraction like Mark.

Msuaan claimed that the Tiv nation have paid their dues to deserve the favour having voted enmasse for the ruling All progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 general elections.

According to Msuaan, the idoma professional Coalition and their sponsors must know that the APC lost the presidential election woefully in their area and should not expect to be patronized by the APC government. The Idoma people formed G-9, a group birthed to work against the election of President Tinubu.

“In the build up to the 2023 general elections, the Idoma nation boldly rejected the APC and mobilized their people to vote against the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Sen. Kashim Shettima Presidential ticket tagging it a Muslim/ Muslim ticket.

“Why should they expect appointments from the same man? Why should Monkey be working and baboon be expecting to be Chopping or why should a police man expect to receive salary as a military man?

” We challenge AVM Morgan, Gen. Lawrence Onoja, Chief Audu Ogbeh to produce a clip of any event they campaigned for Tinubu. They should produce the results from their polling units or ward. These are politically irrelevant people who cannot deliver their polling units. ” Msuaan said.

“What is disgusting and condemnable sacrilege committed in the disjointed press release is the call for the sack of the SGF, Sen. George Akume. The Tiv Youth Council Worldwide takes exceptions to this most unfortunate call sparked by sheer envy and jealousy.

“We therefore demand retraction and an unreserved apology from the Hon. Inalegwu Adaje, Coalition with immediate effect. Sen George Akume has been of great help and assistance to many Prominent sons of Idoma extraction.

” It is convenient to state that, no one has helped Idoma sons to elected and appointed positions like the SGF, George Akume. He deserves respect and honour and not insult from people like Hon. Adaje. Akume has helped David Mark so much in his political career. Chief Audu Ogbeh was made National Chairman by Akume. Abba Moro was made chairman and ALGON chairman by same Akume amongst many others

“In 2015, President Buhari appointed Chief Audu Ogbeh minister, Sen. George Akume publicly congratulated him and led a Benue delegation to thank President Buhari for the appointment. In the second term of President Buhari, Sen. George Akume was appointed minister, Chief Audu Ogbeh refused to either call, visit or congratulate him till today.

“The Idoma Coalition has been silent at the grave injustice melted to other tribes at the Federal University of medicine, Otukpo, where all the principal officers in the institution are of Idoma extraction.

“The Coalition of Idoma professionals have kept mute in the wake of the injustice melted on the Igede people of zone C. In the history of the senatorial seat in the zone occupied by both the Idomas and Igedes, no Igede man has ever been senator of the zone. Why will a people like that cry of injustice? ”