From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja

Two major tribes in Benue State, Tiv and Idoma, have declared war against each other over the nomination of Joseph Terlumun Utsev for ministerial position and the appointment of George Akume as Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

While the Idomas are crying marginalization that the duo are of Tiv extraction, the Tivs claimed that the Idomas have dominated federal appointments in the past, citing David Mark and Abba Moro of Idoma extraction occupying the position of Senate President and Minister of Interior under the same government.

Miffed by the complaints from Idomas, Tiv Youth Council Worldwide condemned in the strongest terms, statement credited to the Coalition of Idoma professionals led by Inalegwu Adaje.

President of umbrella body of Tiv Youths, Mike Msuaan, while reacting to the development, described the statement as most regrettable, pitiable and a display of ignorance of the workings of democracy.

He insisted that the Idoma coalition lacks the moral right to cry injustice as they have not just represented same but also marshaled, promoted and benefited from injustice against the Tiv people even more.

Speaking further, Msuaan reminded the coalition of Idoma professionals that in 2007, David Mark was made Senate president. In 2011, Abba Moro was appointed substantive Minister of Interior from the same idoma extraction like Mark.

“The Tiv people witnessed the height level of injustice with Tiv names removed from Tiv Local government area and replaced with Idoma names in employments and recruitment into military and paramilitary outfits.

“He stated that democracy is a game of numbers and majority rule, meaning that the majority will always have their way in a democratic system, such as practiced in the country. The Tiv people are majority in the state and have proven so with their numerical voting strength.

“Adaje should know that, in 2027, the Tiv people can decide to field a Tiv/ Tiv ticket and win the Guber elections with such voting strength. We are the fourth largest ethnic group in the country and will continue to determine who governs the state with our majority votes.

“In the build up to the 2023 general elections, the Idoma nation boldly rejected the APC and mobilized their people to vote against the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kashim Shettima presidential ticket tagging it a Muslim/Muslim ticket. why should they expect appointments from the same man?

“Why should Monkey be working and baboon be expecting to be chopping or why should a police man expect to receive salary as a military man? We challenge AVM Morgan, Gen. Lawrence Onoja, Audu Ogbeh to produce a clip of any event they campaigned for Tinubu.

“They should produce the results from their polling units or ward. These are politically irrelevant people who cannot deliver their polling units,” Msuaan said.

According to Msuaan; “the Idoma professional coalition and their sponsors must know that the APC lost the presidential election woefully in their area and should not expect to be patronized by the APC government. The Idoma people formed G-9, a group birthed to work against the election of President Tinubu.

“What is disgusting and condemnable sacrilege committed in the disjointed press release is the call for the sack of the SGF, Sen. George Akume. The Tiv Youth Council Worldwide takes exceptions to this most unfortunate call sparked by sheer envy and jealousy.

“We therefore demand retraction and an unreserved apology from the Inalegwu Adaje, Coalition with immediate effect. George Akume has been of great help and assistance to many prominent sons of Idoma extraction. It is convenient to state that, no one has helped Idoma sons to elected and appointed positions like the SGF, George Akume.

“He deserves respect and honour and not insult from people like Adaje. Akume has helped David Mark so much in his political career. Audu Ogbeh was made National Chairman by Akume. Abba Moro was made chairman and ALGON chairman by same Akume amongst many others.

“In 2015, President Buhari appointed Audu Ogbeh minister, George Akume publicly congratulated him and led a Benue delegation to thank President Buhari for the appointment. In the second term of President Buhari, Akume was appointed Minister, Audu Ogbeh refused to either call, visit or congratulate him till today,” they complained.

The Tiv Youth president further stated that it was funny that Adaje questioned the credentials of Joseph Utsev, someone who has risen to the position of professor in a field like Engineering and held several positions of responsibility.

“The Idoma coalition has been silent at the grave injustice melted to other tribes at the Federal University of medicine, Otukpo, where all the principal officers in the institution are of Idoma extraction.