Tiv: There Was A People -By Aor-Akosu Emmanuel Lubem

When in 2012, famous literary icon, Chinua Achebe wrote and titled one  of his many  celebrated works as There Was A Country” , he definitely may have began  a dirge in  lamentation on the conditions of his Igbo ethnic nationality, replica to what the Tiv ethnic group have been  reduced to in the Nigerian State. From a very reckoned superior force of a political giant in Nigeria, to an infantile   state, literally gasping for political, social and economic  survival, relative  amongst  the comity of other ethnic groups in Nigeria. According to Achebe ,  the Igbo aroused hostility because of their intelligence and successes which had placed them as economic giants, well educated and progressive that began to brew envy on their influence in the bigger context of Nigeria, thus their persecution.

The Tiv people since the successful  carve for an amalgamated Nigeria began to pledge very courageous attributes of patriotism by  sacrificing  entirely to the unity, development and peace of this country. The  1967 -1970 civil war, saw Tiv veterans fighting on the side of a Nation to keep the country united and indivisible. Both in the Military and Civil regimes,  they have been at the fore to ensure a secured, productive  and democratic Nigeria. Prominent Tiv  leadership elements have immeasurably built and led the  democracy of this Nation , mostly leading to  achieve the formation of every  Central government since the 1950s.  From the days of the legendary JS  Tarka to the famous times of  Paul Unongo , stretching to the present days of the Barnabas Gemades, et al, Tiv elements have not failed to stand on the path of growth and development of the Nigerian democracy. They have made very productive patriotic inputs, variously to ensure the Nigerian State survives for good of country despite seeming challenges of a complex Nigerian State. Their consistent stand for Justice , fairness, unity and progress have been consistent  as rarely you find any Tiv leadership element working to trauncate the development agenda of successive Federal governments, and largely the development agenda of  Nigeria .

That  today these consistent  Tiv elements would wholly  rise to champion a development cause led by a  Bola Ahmed Tinubu Presidency and his policy drive is not in doubt.  The Tiv by all intent and purposes  have wholeheartedly given their best shot to ensure the victory of the BAT  as President-elect of the  country, completely pulling the strings of victory in the entire  state from hitherto grip of  the opposition PDP into the ruling APC. Benue now has a Governor , two Senators, about 90 House of Reps Seats with Majority Seats in the State House of Assembly under firm control of the APC. Almost same feat achieved in 2015 for the ruling APC led by  President Muhammadu Buhari; howbeit without the  commensurate potentialities of  the Federal patronage.

Like Achebe’s , there was a Country ‘ Tiv Nation appear to be held under a political and economic siege from both external forces and painfully a few forces  within it’s very own cleavage. The larger picture the Tiv people ought to look at now is a  cohesive front to reclaim the destiny  of a people who are beginning to suffer neglect in a country where they are the 4th largest ethnic group.  If there must be a fight , the  fight must be a  community fight to collectively  attract democracy dividends and  benefit from the Center, in total abhorrence to the   current  mindless incautious politics of pull- down – syndrome. Tiv must remain politically agile and alert to keep  afloat in demand for their due at the Center . Tiv Nation has grown so sophisticated, that only a single political leader will no longer suffice . if it so desires it’s ultimate share of the national cake , democratic allocation of the spoils must be allowed to thrive .

When JS Tarka emerged on the turf as the  Tiv undisputed political  leader, also  a foremost minority rights activist fronting for an independent Middle Belt Region autonomous of the Northern oligarchy which was perceived to be inhibitive and oppressive to the growth  development agenda of the minorities in the North Central. JS took  spearheaded under  the UMBC, stretching forth for alliances with the Awolowo’s AG to stop  the NPC dominated Hausa Fulani. But as the political dictum says , ‘there is permanent foe in politics , but only permanent interest’ .

By 1978 and in the 2nd republic, JS Tarka would again team up forces with chunk of his earlier political foes to redeem and build a political agenda under the NPN on which platform he flew his Presidential aspiration. But like the proverbial leopard who would never change spot, he was  again betrayed by his erstwhile political allies from the highly dominated Hausa- Fulani. Even though he couldn’t clinch his ultimate aspiration to become President of this country , he would then settle for a Senator back in his home State , Benue.  Tiv Nation reaped bountifully from this alliance as Shagari was deemed a more credible ally to them . They were rewarded with   three Cabinet Ministers  in the Shehu Shagari Government – Isaac Shaahu was Minister of Communications ,  Elizabeth Ivase, and  Paul Unongo who became Minister of Steel under the NPN- NPP Alliance. There was also Rt Hon Akaahar Chaha as Honorable  Speaker Federal House of Representatives. Tiv grew tall and intimidating in human resource content and development,  as families began to feel the impact of democracy dividends. The people became more purposeful and meaningful as a community and not a divisive ethnic tribe amongst themselves. Indeed a house divided against itself cannot stand.

By  1999, under President Olusegun Obasanjo’s government , top Tiv political gladiators like Iyorchia Ayu, Dr Barnabas Gemade , Chief JKN Waku, prominently featured  in the formation and  build up of the National Parties including the PDP which became the ruling Party at the time .  When the politics was over and the time came for share of the spoils of political dividends were set, Tiv Nation were placed at very sensitive and strategic positions at the Center.  Senator Barnabas Gemade became the  National Chairman of the ruling Party, former Senate President  Iyorchia  Ayu was appointed a  Cabinet Minister with a sensitive portfolio as Minister of Education, Lt General Victor Malu was appointed  Chief of Army Staff,  with others holding very sensitive positions in the government of Obasanjo, including board appointments.

By 2007 , Tiv would again be counted on the political  pedestal as a formidable  reckoned force. The government of Musa Yar ‘Adua and later Goodluck Jonathan (2009-2015)  placed premium  on Tiv Nation as a dependable force in Nation building. Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa SAN, became the Attorney -General of the Federation and Minister for Justice. Justice Katsina Alu later became the Chief Justice of the Federation . Others who  occupied other  highly sensitive  Departments  as Chief Executives were Chief Roberts Orya-NEXIM Bank, Dr Paul Orhii – NAFDAC; as the Nigerian Anti-corruption body, the EFCC was headed by Mrs Mzamber Waziri. Mr Samuel Ukura was appointed Auditor General of the Federation. Dr Paul Angya was CEO, Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) , with Prof Ben Angwe as Executive Secretary , Human Rights Commission.

From 2015, same fate of neglect began to befall Tiv Nation as prominent sons and daughters who held executive management positions were sacked variously, beginning from NEXIM Bank , NAFDAC, Minister, EFCC, living the people with nothing in the political booty to boost of, even though Benue State Particularly the Tiv voted enmasse for the Muhammedu Buhari presidency. It got so degenerated to a point that Tiv were not even considered for a Ministerial position, with Buhari preferring Audu Ogbe,  and totally neglecting  out the Tiv ethnic nationality whose political worth and value has never been in doubt at the centre since the first republic. This action really did not justify the reward for political patronage, thus is enmasculating the sensibilities of these people. Ortom further ditch of the ruling party to pitch tent with the opposition PDP further widened the gulf between the state and the Federal government. Akume was later considered as a Cabinet  Minister by 2019, for for a very sophisticated politically valued people like Tiv, being the 4th largest ethnic group in Nigeria, these patronage was but a drop in an ocean. The Tiv never got what they deserved in the new political negotiation at the Center. Federal patronage eluded them in the last 8years, as dividends of democracy were far from imagined .

Again the Tiv Nation have given the best political shot, sacrificing their all to see the emergence of a Tinubu President under the ruling APC and retaining the State from the grip of the PDP to the fold of the APC. Again history is certainly rife and set to play. A Shagari government in 1979-83 built so much confidence in their Tiv Nation, relying not just for their voting  strength, but rewarding their deserved worth as a dependable ally in  Nation building.

This same confidence no doubt resonates in the Tinubu leadership philosophy. He is acknowledged to be a rewarder of efforts . Tinubu has over the years enjoyed a very robust political affinity with prominent sons In the range of  Senator George Akume , Dr Barnabas Gemade, one of Nigeria’s finest leaders whose capacity as a Nation builder , quintessential statesman, outstanding administrator,  an incorruptible leader and patriot is not in doubt, having served the country at various capacities. At various strata of governance from a Cabinet Minister, to a National Party Chair, and later elected a  Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he had an impeccable record of public service. Gemade has over the years shown  proven qualities as an effective manager of men and resources , putting country first above self. He left many in admiration when he along with other Patriots convened in Abuja in 1994 for the National Conference to settle the political quagmire that had befallen  the state of Nigeria. His far reaching policies to keep the democratic Walls of Nigeria firm, productive and progressive has in no mean measure placed the country as the hub and mentor of  African democracy.

Now those driven on ill-motives to circumvent  the progressive agenda of the Tiv Nation in a very robust political relationship with the incoming government under a Tinubu must be sanctioned by every limit possible. President-elect has shown tremendous Goodwill and respect for what the Tiv people have given to his success.

 Tinubu as a progressive knows that the time has come to right the wrongs and injustices against a very prolific dominant ethnic group, being the fourth largest in the Country.  In a government like the Tinubu Presidency , Tiv Nation is sure to get the best patronage which they have saved for the last.

Aor-Akosu Emmanuel Lubem

Public Affairs Commentator,

Writes From FCT