‘We were given only 3 slots while Idoma got 19’ – Tiv group petitions FG, alleges bias in favour of Idoma in Air Force recruitment

The Mbakor Rebirth Movement, MRM, has petitioned the Federal Character Commission, FCC, over what it described as the marginalisation of the Tiv ethnic group in the recently released list of successful candidates for the 2026 Nigerian Air Force, NAF, recruitment exercise in Benue State.

In a petition dated July 20 and jointly signed by its President, Hon. Emmanuel Terser Ibua, and Secretary, Hon. Solomon Mtomga Imen, the group alleged that the distribution of recruitment slots violated the federal character principle enshrined in the 1999 Constitution.

According to the petition, Benue State was allocated 22 recruitment slots, of which only three were reportedly given to candidates from the Tiv-speaking area, while 19 slots went to candidates from the Idoma and Igede areas.

The group argued that the allocation was unfair, noting that Tiv people occupy 14 of the state’s 23 local government areas and constitute the largest ethnic group in Benue.

It further alleged that the Mbakor sub-clan of the Tiv, based in Tarka Local Government Area, did not secure a single slot despite its historical contributions to the country.

“In summary, 14 LGAs received three slots, while nine LGAs received 19 slots. The Mbakor sub-clan received no representation at all,” the petition stated.

The MRM maintained that the allocation undermined the principle of equity, fairness and broad representation in the distribution of federal opportunities.

The group said the outcome created “the impression of systemic exclusion” and sent a wrong signal to young people that population, merit and contribution did not matter.

It also noted that the Mbakor sub-clan had produced several prominent Nigerians, including senators, members of the House of Representatives, governors, commissioners, police commissioners, local government chairmen and a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

The group urged the Federal Character Commission to investigate the criteria and process used for the Benue recruitment exercise and provide a public explanation for what it described as the observed imbalance.

It also called on the commission to engage the Nigerian Air Force to address the alleged anomaly and ensure that future recruitment exercises reflect population size, geopolitical spread and the principles of equity and federal character.

The petition was copied to the Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, the Chief of Air Staff, the Benue State Governor, the senators representing Benue North-West and Benue North-East, as well as members of the House of Representatives from the state.