Benue 2023: Let power shift now, by Robert Iorpuu

When Benue State was created in 1976, it was celebrated as the realization of a long desired dream for a people who before now were very distant from the power centers in jos and in Lagos. At last, governance will be closer to the people and more responsive to their immediate needs.

When the military administration of General Ibrahim Babangida further carved out a part of Benue State to form Kogi State, Benue became a state dominated by the Tiv people of Zones A&B and the Idoma/Igede people of zone C.

The people of the middlebelt of Nigeria led by the legendary Senator JS Tarka have been at the forefront of the struggle for justice, peace and equity in Nigeria. The Tivs and the Idomas have become people with a shared destiny and their bonds have been strengthened by good neighbourliness, inter marriages and long lasting friendships. The Tivs have an enduring philosophy that is enviable and has kept them together for centuries . It is the philosophy of sharing and caring for each other in a spirit of equity and fairness. In Tiv language it is “ ya na angbian” meaning eat and also give to your brother.

Inspite of contrived acrimonies and deliberate manipulations by a few elite on both sides targeted at perpetuating mutual suspicion among the people of Benue State, the greater majority of Tivs and Idomas have remained as one people united by a common purpose to integrate the state and align it with the national agenda of Nigeria. The bonds between the two people cannot be broken by mere selfish dispositions of some who have thrived in a divided environment. Our forebears saw no difference between them. Chief JS Tarka and Chief JC Obande were inseparable soul mates and their offsprings have remained like blood brothers till date. There are thousands of Tivs whose bloodlines are in Idoma land and vice versa.

Because of decades of living together, marrying amongst themselves, going to the same schools and their quest for Equity, the Tivs and Idomas qualify by every description to be called brothers and sisters.

It is true that the Tiv people of Benue are larger in number than their brothers in zone C. I have heard simplistic arguments saying politics is a game of number. Nothing can be more primitive than this mindset . Over time, politics has evolved from mere primordial prejudices to the desire to put the best and most experienced hands forward.

Some states in Nigeria have broken from this barrier and have moved to give every part of their states a sense of belonging especially in states that are blessed with ethnic diversity. In Adamawa Srate, Bonnie Haruna became Governor despite being a minority. In Kaduna, Patrick Yakowa against all odds was elected Governor. In Cross River State, Prof Ben Ayade is Governor while in Akwa Ibom, Godswill Akpabio, an Annang Man became governor in an Ibibio dominated state. If not for considerations of fairness, Ifeanyi Okowa will not be governor in an Urhobo dominated Delta. Even our neighbors Kogi have broken the ethnic jinx to elect a minority as governor.

In Tivland, all the five intermediate areas that make up the Tiv nation have each produced a Governor. The iconic Aper Aku from Kwande got the first shot while the cerebral Rev Fr Moses Adasu got it for the Jechira people. Sir George Akume was governor from the Jemgbah clan while the youthful Gabriel Suswam filled in for Sankera. The current occupant Samuel Ortom of MINDAcompletes the Tiv circle.

Now that every part of Tivland has tasted the pie, it is only fair and just and Godly and in compliance with the ya na angbian philosophy that a zone C candidate occupies the people’s House in 2023. This bold step will not only strengthen the bond of unity but will ease bottled up frustrations . It will erase this notion of a majority imposing a slave mentality on a minority whose only crime is the paucity of their numbers.

While it is a logical and rational argument to shift power to zone C, such cannot be achieved by bickering or brash agitation. A constructive engagement of stakeholders and a unity of purpose among the major political parties remain the panacea for the realization of this dream. An Idoma man who approaches the Tiv electorate as an Idoma champion will be repulsed . This is because the ordinary Tiv man has been sold a poisonous narrative by selfish politicians that they are hated by the Idoma people. Competent Idoma aspirants must demonstrate a character of inclusiveness in order to deconstruct the perception that Idomas have shortchanged the Tivs in the larger Nigerian equation.

Going by the excellence of our Idoma brothers in commerce, industry, civil service, diplomacy and public service, it is certain that materials for governance are in abundance. The question is will they be given a chance to replicate their successes at the level of governance of the state?.

The conversation should shift from simplistic and banal considerations to that of harnessing our vast resources for the greatness of our state. Who does the cap fit?.

Robert Iorpuu
Adikpo
Benue State.?