Benue 2023 – Simon Iwar: Konshisha was treated unfairly [Opinion]

By Simon Iwar

Posterity behoves us, as societal vanguards, to speak out in the face of developments which tend to set precedents that may become deleterious to our political journey.

Silence cannot afford to be an option where recent decisions taken, and which affect us all, are embedded with deep cultural contradictions, and potentially tragic political misreckonings.

As elites from Konshisha, we must speak to prevent the next generation from taking cues from our actions and adopting as norm what is alien to us.

THE UNPRECEDENTED JECHIRA “MICRO-ZONING”

Historically and culturally, zoning in Tivland has always been between the Five (5) ruling houses. Going into 2023 however, both Kwande and Jechira laid claims to the governorship and a need for an agreeable mediation arose.

Eventually, Jechira was adopted on two counts.

Aper Aku was adjudged to have had two terms, even though the second was abridged.

Jechira had only a single term with Rev Fr Moses Adasu which lasted less than two years before the military struck again.

Equity was in favour of Jechira.

The second reason was anchored on an emergent Tiv political proverb “Ihyev mom icha ihar ga” which literally translates to “a rat cannot have two tails”, but which figuratively meant that since Kwande had the Tor Tiv leadership, the governorship must go to Jechira.

THE CONTRADICTIONS

If the concept of “Ihyev mom” which appeared in favour of Jechira were to be domiciled within Jechira as it did outside, then the Tor Jechira, the highest Jechira stool is in Vandeikya. Why was Vandeikya, in variance with this principle, considered ahead of Konshisha? Or is this principle limited to only the Tor Tiv stool?

Secondly, in application of the same template that eased out Kwande on grounds of “brief tenureship, it is safe to argue that Konshisha’s brief stint with Adasu shouldn’t have cancelled out their aspirations.

Thirdly, never in the history of Tiv zoning has a choice been limited to a single local government.

In 1999, Gboko, Tarka and Buruku contested.

In 2007, Ukum, Logo and Katsina Ala participated.

In 2015, Makurdi, Guma, Gwer West and Gwer East all vied for leadership.

2023 should not be any different.

Jechira ought to have been left to decide amongst themselves so as to ensure justice and promote fair play, and be seen as transparent.

FEARS
One begins to wonder if in 10 or 20 years we would begin to zone to local governments rather than blocs.

Or whether the next generation may begin to zone to wards and even families!

Or have we jettisoned bloc zoning altogether?

THE PDP NATIONAL EXAMPLE

Even as the party has legally adopted consensus as an option, the Zoning Committee, headed by our dogged governor has thrown open the presidential race to the entire country. Why can’t Gov Ortom do same in his own state?

We in Jechira appreciate consensus as a concept but we are worried at its practice.

We demand an open contest within Jechira.

THE ORTOM SENATORIAL EXAMPLE

Between 1999 and 2007, the Zone B Senate was zoned to the Minda axis.

Waku from Guma was first.

Dr Adagba, from Gwer East was second. He passed.
Fred Orti from Makurdi became the third senator to complete the eight year cycle.

If this emerging concept of micro-zoning were therefore to be strictly applied, then only Gwer West, which is the only Minda local government that has never taken a shot at senate, is qualified for Senate in 2023.

This should automatically eliminate Ortom’s Senate aspirations.

Finally, a grave injustice has been done to Konshisha as a society and to her contestants. Even though the trio of Julius Atorough, Terver Akase and Dondo Ahire may have stomached it, or are stomaching it, Konshisha hasn’t, and our hurt as well as our future is beyond their individual candidatures.

All we are asking for is that what is found good for the goose should be duplicated for the gander.