Perspective
The Tiv people at home and in the Diaspora have begun to fashion out ways to redefine their existence, in tune with current socio-economic and political realities. In this special interview, a former State electoral Commissioner spoke to the Transmitter on the way-forward for the Tiv people of Nassarawa State in Middle Belt Nigeria. Excerpts:
May we meet you Sir?
Ato: My name is Michaell Iornumbe Ato, I served Nassarawa State as a Commissioner with the State Electoral Commission from 2012 to 2017, after that I have being around following the politics of the state.
How are the Tiv people repositioning in tune with the current government in Nassarawa state?
Ato: The Tiv people were always adequately represented in government. But I don’t know what happened today. I know well that the Tiv people did their best like every other tribe in voting the government of today. All the tribes in Nassarawa state are well represented, except for Tiv people who have just three Senior Special Assistants. This is not enough.
Are the Tiv people organized politically in Nassarawa State?
Ato: We are politically organized in Nassarawa State. However, the situation as at today was necessitated by the governor who approached the wrong people on the side of Tiv elites. These young men messed themselves up politically. It is on record that the Tiv give block votes for elective positions. In the last elections however, we were constrained by the farmers/herders crisis. Even at this, the Tiv did very well for the APC, the ruling political party which I am also a card carrying member.
Are the Tiv organized traditionally in Nassarawa State?
Ato: In Nigeria today, Tiv is the fourth largest tribe, next to Hausa/Fulani, Yoruba and Igbo, yet this is not reflected in the federal character of the Nigerian nation. The typical belief of the other smaller ethnic groups in these states where the Tiv are also aborigines is that all Tiv ethnic nationalities should be in Benue. That goes down to the crisis we encounter with the Jukun in Taraba and the skirmishes with the Alago alongside other tribes in Nassarawa State. The fear of domination is the reason for attacks on the Tiv. Smaller tribes have chiefdoms in these states, when we push for ours, they say we are from Benue State, and I do not have a village in Benue. They say one comes from Guma, but if I go to Guma, where will I stay. My ancestors were born, died and buried in Nassarawa State and so is my root. Unfortunately, someone will migrate from Katsina State and become a Nassarawa indigene, so is the Bauchi man who chooses to be of Nassarawa. It is just politics that the Tiv people are denied their rights in Nassarawa State- the fear of domination. One principal thing to note about Nigeria and her ethnic groups is that we all came at some points; others came first but does that put you in supremacy of the others after you? The answer is NO.
What are the Tiv elites doing to correct this abnormally?
Ato: We had leadership challenge which has taken us to where we are, but we are trying to put our house in order. The truth is that some young elites, straight from school felt some people are old enough to stay out of governance. But this is an illusion. Can you shy away from people like Wantaregh Paul Unongo because he has been around for too long? You blend and learn from the old order. This way, continuity is maintained because government is so defined. These young men have bastardized and done damage to the Tiv nation in Nassarawa and the past government used them to the end. We had series of meetings aimed to put our house in order, for better days ahead. We will come out better organized politically in 2023 as a people with one voice; one agenda.
What are the Tiv in that part doing with their uncoordinated settlement patterns?
We have bigger settlements now like Ibuan, Imon, Apurugh, Agon, Buair, Kwaghshir etc in Obi, Tachia, Kuduku Agberagba, Chiata in Keana, Gborigyo and others in Doma, Chorun, Ugbergbugh in Lafia, Ihuman, Wuruji, Atsember, Gaar in Awe to mention a few. The Tiv man believes you must dwell where your father’s grave is. But gradually we are talking out with them. You can go to the hinterlands and farm, but come back to the fold. The Fulani invasion has taught us lessons and we are working it out to get it right this time around. The Tiv dominate Keana, Awe, Obi and in fact, the whole of Southern Nassarawa. I was Electoral Commissioner and took data of all these figures. In Southern zone, if the Tiv decide not to vote for a candidate, then he does not have a chance of winning in the zone. This is a practical reality.
And you have not won that senatorial seat, don’t you have qualified people?
Ato: Qualification in terms of academics or age? Whatever you consider as quality, let me inform you that the first Professor from Nassarawa State, Emmanuel Kucha comes from Adudu in Obi LGA the same council ward with me. We have young men who are educated with Ph.Ds. Many with MSCs and MBAs. Winning elections (in Nigeria) is capital intensive. I for once contested for the House of Assembly during the 2019 primaries and I lost due to financial constraints, against an incumbent. Even my Tiv delegates sold out their conscience. I was happy that I participated, with the experience to direct whoever endavours in the future. We are even overqualified to contest the position of Governor of Nassarawa State. We are putting the resources together in this line for the future.
What is your take on the farmers/herders impasse?
Ato: Well, it is only in Nigeria that we are still talking about cattle rearing. The modern practice world over is ranching. This by the way makes the animals better. Beef in Nigeria cannot pass integrity test in the international market. These cattle they rear here add nothing to the GDP of Nigeria. Nigeria has grown beyond giving room for cattle routes. This was the case when our population was just about 50 million, and then there was vast land. Today we have a population of over 200 million people. Where is the land? You do not expect our farmers to give out their land for cattle rearing, when what they have is not even enough for farming. The Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of Benue State is the best, if all the states introduce same, the crisis will be curtailed. The other issue is that there is an agenda behind these attacks, but this will come to fruition someday.
Your message to the Tiv race?
Ato: The Tiv people should embrace their neighbours, socialise as well as politically mix up with people around them. We need to sit up, plan our future and see how the young people can be empowered through entrepreneurship skills to break the jinx of poverty which is the base of livelihood today. There are platforms that can help our youth go beyond selfish agenda and do that which will make the society better. There are a lot of irregularities occasioned by the politics we practiced as at today. Vote buying has come to worsen our democracy but going forward we will get it right. Above all, we should bring back our culture where leadership is earned and not enforced and also learn how to respect our leaders/elders. That way we will be able to surmount all challenges.
