From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Tiv Indigenes in Nasarawa State have tackled the leadership of Alago Ikweyi Gbayi Development Union over their derogatory statement on the recent killing in Yeleweta, Benue State.
Prof. Emmanuel Iornumbe Kucha, Acting President, Tiv Development Association, Nasarawa State, in a statement, on Wednesday, expressed surprise that such “insensitive” statement could come from Alago community despite the cordial relationship that had existed them among for over the years.
He said: “We do not have any issue with our Alago brothers/neighbours, and are therefore shocked at the harsh words, insults and open condescending bitterness employed in the statement of the Alago Development Association against the entire Tiv Nation for making a lawful and legitimate demand from the President of our country.
“It is also puzzling that whilst the state government is acquiring our land compulsorily for a purported agricultural purpose, it is the Alago Nation that has become the mouth piece of the Governor of Nasarawa State, and the only ethnic group supporting this clearly unlawful action and injustice against the Tiv Nation.
“We must make it abundantly clear without mincing words that the lands in question were de-forested by our forefathers and passed on to us from generation to generation, and the allegation that they belong to the Alago Nation is not correct. That explains why the Alago Development Association is supporting the mass and compulsory acquisition of the same by the government.
“The Association will never support acquisition of its land by any government agency. So, it is clearly a reminder of the solomonic example in the Bible where in a contest for a child, the woman who was not the mother of the child was quick to agree that the child be split into two, whilst the actual mother prayed for the child’s preservation
“Based on the foregoing, we have chosen not to join issues with the Alago Development Association, because we believe that we are brothers and stand to gain more by fighting this injustice and ensuring that our lands are preserved.
“Our brothers should note that if this injustice against the Tiv nation is allowed to stand, no farming community in Nasarawa State is safe, including their own ancestral homes and farmlands. The Alago Nation is trying to rewrite the history for selfish reasons that are in bad taste.
“The Alago community is economical with the truth by distorting our collective history. However, the Tiv Development Association (TIDA) will always stand by the truth, which has been in existence over these many years.”
He maintained that Tiv indigenes in Nasarawa do not have any dispute with the Alago Nation and will not be dragged into one. “We only mentioned specific individuals who have continued to play a part in the injustice against our people as exemplified in their key interest in joining the ongoing litigations or suit at Nasarawa State High Court, Obi
“We believe that the Tiv and the Alago Nations have a common history. They have fought together side by side against injustice, and they stand to gain more by standing together and speaking with one voice against this manifest and colossal injustice.
“Based on the foregoing, the Tiv indigenes of Nasarawa State call on our brothers to desist from such infamous acts and provocative actions. We also call for the cessation of such ill-timed comments, which only distort history and escalate tension and unfortunately has the propensity of creating unnecessary ethnic strife and disaffection.”