Idoma vs Tiv 2023: A fierce battle

By Psalmist Ogenyi

The zoning of governorship position in Benue state is a profoundly sad political issue which has been harming the state since its creation in in 1976. A state with so much history and culture is polluted by tribalism and marginalisation which has been affecting its peace and development for generations.

I know that Benue is not alone in economic and political underdevelopment but our career politicians seems to be infected by a disease distorting their moral compass that seems to spread as swiftly as coronavirus when it comes to Benue governorship.And this is a sad time for Benue as we approach the 2023 governorship in the state.

A part of the state have stood and watched as they are crudely excluded from governance of the state becauce of their demographic inferiority and not because of the the content of their brain,knowledge or character. It is hard to comprehend such evil in democracy which is about justice ,equity and fairness.

It is axiomatic that the majority group in the state have treated the minority groups who are very liberal and docile as legitimate fodder to feed their avaricious greed for power . But how long the affected groups on both sides of the ethnic divide retain its elasticity is a matter of grave concern now.

Now ,a section of the majority ,Gwer to be precise are making a shrill and legitmate agitation for the 2023 edition of the Benue governor with a muted response from other large kindred brothers. And the ripples of their demand have continued to cause concerns because it is hatched with empirical and historical facts that cannot be controverted.

With the majority group testing the limits of the patience of the minority , they have an opportunity to forge a united front with aggrieved section of the majority group to change this medieval marginalisation.Together, they could offer a straightforward proposition, engage constructively and some political partnership can be negotiated for political equilibrium.

It is obvious the monotonous political arrangement where one group is monopolising the governorship of the state is facing severe stress. History shows that when political and economic crises coincide, things can go seriously wrong. It has also shown in the catastrophic maginalisation of ethnic groups in a neighbouring state (Kogi) which led to serious political upheaval and the recent election tatatatatatata in the state.

We would be naïve to think that we won’t be facing a very bumpy, and at times dangerous period in the coming years if the Tiv majority continue with their handbook of political marginalistion.

Already the kindred insurrection among the Tiv ethnic group could take the form of a potentially progressive demand for political inclusion like the fierce Gwer agitation for the Benue governorship.It shall be followed by an Idoma variant of the agitation for self determination.

But if the Idoma ethnic group are not getting the governorship in this dispensation and the Gwer group are consumed by the intrigues of other Tiv kindred linages, the rightful group to get the 2023 Benue governorship are the Kwande and Jechira groups.But Kwande LGA is excluded from the race because of the domiciliarity of Tor Tiv stool in the council .

Vandeikya LGA may have the upper hand because their Konshisha kin has taken their shot at the governorship in Adasu ,though shortlived.But they will always shoot themselves at the foot because of their sabiness.

It is trite that the Benue governorshilp is the unifying factor among the majority ethnic group in the state. They have a way of surmounting their challenges when the governorship position is at stake with other groups,but the steel stoicity of the Gwer agitation may lead to an implosion among them .The Gwer people are a highly sophisticated and republican nucleaus of Tiv society and may not easily wish away their agitation feebly.

Their equally sophisticated and egalitarian Idomoid neighbours are waiting and watching as they believe leadership comes from God.

But in case there is no compromise among the contending majoritarian Tiv lineages ,it shall be the legitimate turn of the Idomoid nation of Western Sudan which is long over due to produce Benue governorship .And the people of the area will concede the position to the people Okonobo forest who will decide on who to give .The heavens shall not fall if there is a powershift to Benue south.

adell de psalmist

writes for you

From Opera News Hub

The views expressed in this article are the writer’s, they do not reflect the views of Opera News. Please report any fake news or defamatory statements to feedback-newshub@operanewshub.com