As the campaigns over who succeeds Governor Gabriel Suswam in 2015 takes centre stage in the politics of Benue State, the agitation for power shift by the Idoma people seems to be gaining ground as contenders for the governorship seat from Benue South dominated by Idoma and Igede appear to be working tirelessly to take over the helm of affairs of the state.
While the Idoma ethnic group which is yet to taste the seat since 38 years of the creation of the state feels they should be given the chance, nothing suggests the willingness of the Tiv dominated state to relinquish the seat.
Both the Igede and Idomas are concentrated in nine out of the 23 local government areas of Benue State while the Tivs occupy the rest 14. The Idomas and Tivs have been trading accusations of marginalisation in the political scheme of things both at the state and national levels.
While the Idoma accuse their Tiv brothers of not ceding the governorship position to them since 1976, the Tivs are in turn accusing the Idomas of marginalisation in the area of federal appointments, especially in the Police, Navy, Air force, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Immigration, among others where Interior Minister, Comrade Aba Moro holds sway. But ironically, even among the 14 Tiv speaking local government areas, there is internal wrangling over who emerges governor in 2015 as diverse interests are being articulated.
For instance, the zone ‘A’ where Suswam hails from are still bent on holding unto power arguing that their tenure under the first civilian governor, Aper Aku, was aborted by a military coup and should be allowed probably to complete that tenure.


This argument has not gone down well with politicians in zone ‘B’ who have refused to shift ground at all, insisting that it’s their turn after Suswam to mount the seat of power. Findings however showed that they may resort to a consensus arrangement in order not to lose the position to zone ‘A’. At the moment, the clamour for the governorship seat by the three zones has heated up the political landscape of the state, as Governor Suswam has remained adamant over who to present to the people of the state as his likely successor.
Meanwhile, as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is yet to decide on who should fly its flag in the 2015 governorship election, the main opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) is strategizing seriously to present a formidable aspirant to take the state by storm. Among those vying for the position on APC’s platform include a member of the House of Representatives representing Makurdi/Guma constituency, Hon. Emmanuel Jime and former Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Internal Affairs and Boundaries in the George Akume’s administration, Chief Akange Audu.
The argument within the Tiv circles again is that with component areas such as: Kwande, Sankera, Jerchira, Jemgbagh and Masev Iharev and NonDevelopgov Development Association (MINDA) making up the Zone A and B districts of the Tivland, there are no clear signs to relinquish power in the next dispensation to the minority Idomas until the last in the Tiv component; the Minda , is allowed to take its turn.
Even though, the MINDA position has come under criticism by some who think the zone is asking too much since the current paramount ruler in Tiv land, Tor Tiv, HRH Dr. Alfred Torkula comes from the axis, the argument no doubt has become a subject of controversy lately among the indigenes.
On the other hand, the Idoma people are pressing hard their demand which in their estimation would strengthen the bond of brotherhood between them and other tribes. For instance, at the recent defection of two prominent APC members in zone C, Ralph Igbago and Godwin Ukpoju in Otukpo, the traditional home of the Idoma people, Deputy Governor Steven Lawani among other speakers openly canvassed the need for their Tiv brothers to concede the position to them.
Lawani, who was in Zaki Biam recently in continuation of his consultation to govern the state, appealed to the traditional rulers to consider the many years the Idoma people did not produce governor of the state and concede the position to them this time around, adding that if elected, he will run an inclusive administration to fast-track development in the state.
Speaking to New Telegraph on why the Idoma people have failed to produce governor for 38 years, former Minister of State for Education, Prof. Jerry Agada linked the misfortune to the population of the Idoma and Igede people put together, which he said cannot make an impact in usurping power from the majority Tivs.
Agada opined that the only saving grace for the Idomas is for the Tivs to show understanding since they have coexisted over the years.
“Let me tell you that the agitation by the people of zone C for governorship is point is, there are three zones in Benue State, zones A and B have produced governor before, only zone C has never produced a governor. So, let it go to zone C. Whoever it falls on in zone C is a matter of conjecture.
“So, it’s not a question of zone C getting something wrong; it is a question of our number and that is what we are saying that if it is done by rotation from zones A, B and C, then one can have the assurance that yes it can turn to you, but if it’s not done on the basis of number, definitely zones A and B will always defeat zone C. This is why we are appealing for understanding from our Tiv brothers,” said Agada. Meanwhile, serious politicking has already triggered off with various interest groups queuing behind their preferred choices with no fewer than 25 aspirants jostling for the plum seat.
Statistics available to New Telegraph show that in the zone ‘A’ axis of the state, five contenders led by former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Michael Aondoakaa (SAN) is leading four others including the Managing Director, Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority, Mrs. Ada Chenge; Suswam’s campaign director in the 2011 governorship election, Dr. Terhemba Shija as well as Mr. Peter Chieshe and Daniel Mailumo who are plotting to occupy the position at all cost.
In the Zone ‘B’ bloc, 14 aspirants led by Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Chief Samuel Ortom and House of Representative member for Makurdi/ Guma constituency, Hon. Jime are leading 12 others including Dr. Eugene Aliegba, Prince Andy Uwouku, Mr. Alex Adum, Mr. Hinga Biem, Comrade Simon Anchaver, Dr. Tivlumun Nyitse, Mr. Mbachiantim Manger, Mr. Felix Atime, Hon. Simon Aondoana, Mr.Terhemen Tarzoor, Mrs. Shimave and Prof. David Ker to fight for the position.
While in Idoma land otherwise christened zone ‘C’, and home of the Senate President David Mark, Suswam’s deputy, Chief Steven Lawani is leading three others including former Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Sam Ode; former Managing Director, Federal Medical Centre, Dr. Mathias Oyigeya and Mr. Paul Harris Ogbole to succeed Suswam in next year governorship election.
Keen political observers have concluded that with the political calculation in the state now over refusal of the Tivs to concede the position to Idomas, political stakeholders in the area are finding it tough over who to present as a running mate to whoever may emerge from the Tiv side.
While majority of the Idoma people are working for Ode to take that office, others are kicking against the decision saying that Oyigeya, a close ally of Senator Mark, should get the slot. New Telegraph learnt that if this argument turns out to be the last resort of the Idoma people, the incumbent deputy governor, Lawani, may be out of the boxing ring, because his boss, Suswam, had even ruled him out of the contest.
Suswam’s argument, analysts say, is tenable for the reason that Lawani deputised him for eight years and it will be improper for him to dream of stepping into his shoes to rule for another eight years as governor.
It would be recalled that Suswam had during a meeting between him and stakeholders in the Tiv extraction at government house where the Gen. Atom Kpera-led peace and conflict resolution committee investigating the Fulani invasion of Tivland submitted its final report, has ruled out the possibility of Lawani and Aondoakaa succeeding him.
A source from the meeting who confided in our correspondent, quoted the governor as saying it was only justifiable to present one person from the Masev Iharev and Nongov Development Association (MINDA) bloc to become governor in 2015 to heal the wounds of the carnage inflicted on the people by the Fulani insurgents.
“Let me be frank with you, the governor’s pronouncement ignited a thunderous applauds amongst the delegates from that axis when the governor made the statement. But the facial expression on the faces of others showed displeasure,” the source said.
New Telegraph gathered on good authority that some PDP aspirants contesting various elective positions such as Senate, governorship and state Assembly among others, who may lost out at the party’s primaries may massively defect to either the APC or Labour Party (LP) to fight the ruling party. This is just as the leadership of APC in the state has said it is ready to accept aggrieved members of the PDP into their fold during the forthcoming general election.
Also interesting to note is the fact that the Igede people that coexist with the Idomas in zone ‘C’ are agitating vehemently that if the bloc is to produce deputy governor, the slot should come to them.
They are arguing that during the George Akume administration, Chief Ogiri Ajene (an Igede man) was made deputy governor, and when Suswam succeeded Akume, he made the incumbent Lawani his deputy, and so if the next deputy governor is to go to the zone, it should come to them. But the Idoma people are of the view that even among the minorities there are seniors and so the cry of marginalization by Igede people cannot hold any water.

http://tsuntsumediaservices..com/2014/08/2015-benue-governorship-can-idoma-break.html

SMH @ some very selfish politicians. I also understand that Suswam is as useless to Benue state as Theo is to Abia state.

Ok

The Day The Idoma folks Stop running to kaduna state,frying akara and giving birth to too many children that day they'll start succeeding

The Idoma people deserve to take the seat, but its gonna be very difficult. It will only work if they present an EXCELLENT candidate, one that will make the majority Tivs forget their selfish desire to monopolise the post. But certainly not Lawani. Do they have such??

acenazt: The Day The Idoma folks Stop running to kaduna state,frying akara and giving birth to too many children that day they'll start succeeding

omo ur head dey there..kd don turn mini otukpo

JEITO: omo ur head dey there..kd don turn mini otukpo

choii mehn any where u look for kd na Oyi and Oyineh you go see. Them don even plenty pass gbagyi sef.

acenazt: The Day The Idoma folks Stop running to kaduna state,frying akara and giving birth to too many children that day they'll start succeeding

How simplistic can one get, is there any tribe that cannot be found in Kaduna ? I can confidently state that there are probably more Tivs than Idomas in Kaduna. Southern Kaduna people are very welcoming to other tribes, especially middle belters.

OP , anya. Have you heard the parable of Tiv goat ? The parable says that in a certain election a very sound and immaculate Idoma man emerged as candidate. In the absence of a worthy candidate, the Tivs presented a goat owned by a Tiv man as candidate (Tiv goat). On the day of the election, the Tivs voted for the Tiv goat and shunned the idoma scholar.
That says a lot about the current sociopolitical situation in Benue today.

Idoma's Can't be Progressive jare David has so imprisoned dem all . Imagine David Mark doing 16 years in D Senate yet no Idoma man has ever opposed him strongly in Politics.

When Tiv were against Suswam re-election, Suswam lost in almost all tiv land to Prof Ugba, But d Idoma gave him enof votes for his return Tru David Mark.

Well Idoma wld always remain as Deputy Governors Sam Odey for Dep Governor

*Yawns*

What of Tuface Innocent Idibia?

Isnt he Idoma?. Let him contest everyone will vote him, atleast you guys can be sure of Nice melodies from the Govt houz for 8yrs.

good to see other ethnicities being discussed.


biìa Nkechi wetere m anü nchi Di na ngïga, pours palm wine

Politics is a game of numbers. Let's face it. It's almost impossible for an idoma man to become governor of Benue state. A state has been approved for them by the just ended National conference, so the only way out for them is to keep praying that the report of the conference is implemented.

Tor Tiv should bring development in his village of Torkula. I served in that village and ran for my dear life because of too much snakes. I don't think there will be electricity in that village in decades to come.

Idoma people should be given the chance to govern the state. It is long overdue.

The way the politics is going on now in benue. I dnt think it's possible for my idoma brother to win even the primary. If the contestants from idoma can rally round on one of the candidate then there is possibilty. The likes of oyigeya, odeh, chenge, ogbole, lawani are nt ready to trade. We in zone c still have a long way to go.

acenazt: The Day The Idoma folks Stop running to kaduna state,frying akara and giving birth to too many children that day they'll start succeeding

Lol! When the many children mature, dem fit pass Tiv for population. Na political strategy b dat

Well; as an Idoma man it hurts me so much when I move around the major cities and i see my People; roasting corn, frying akara and selling Okpa; with all their kidz it hurts so bad; what future is there to such a child who might never have the opportunity to a better life; from childhood he is made to support the family; by any-means necessary!; this sometimes pushes the kids to NEGATIVITY.
Idoma people are hard-working people this is evident from the successful men and women who started low and today are somewhere remarkable; The same determination that made my Father Walk from Okpoga the home of his father to Zaria; in search of a Job. Please my brothers and sisters; please and please lets watch over our kids give them the right education; Education counts, lets us build our selves; so we would move and shake the world. Education is all we need; Forget the TIVs and their quest for power someday, somewhere The liberation would come. My own Father though the world was totally against him struggled so hard; and today he is proud of what we his kids have become today; how did he do this he MINIMIZED his ALCOHOL consumption Yes please; It pains me to see the number of My Idoma brothers and sisters who are DRUNKS and PROSTITUTES; Our Schools today they've become breeding ground for CULTISM where would that take us please? Education is the best Legacy you can give to your kids.

edoyad:

How simplistic can one get, is there any tribe that cannot be found in Kaduna ? I can confidently state that there are probably more Tivs than Idomas in Kaduna. Southern Kaduna people are very welcoming to other tribes, especially middle belters.

OP , anya. Have you heard the parable of Tiv goat ? The parable says that in a certain election a very sound and immaculate Idoma man emerged as candidate. In the absence of a worthy candidate, the Tivs presented a goat owned by a Tiv man as candidate (Tiv goat). On the day of the election, the Tivs voted for the Tiv goat and shunned the idoma scholar.
That says a lot about the current sociopolitical situation in Benue today.

see this guy ohh. How can you say the Tivs are more than your folks in kaduna? Stop lying to your self I know more idomas than I know Most southern kaduna folks.

He who the cap fit let him wear.
Any Idoma that feels he want the Governor seat, then let him/her go to the field and battle it out.

kokoA: Politics is a game of numbers. Let's face it. It's almost impossible for an idoma man to become governor of Benue state. A state has been approved for them by the just ended National conference, so the only way out for them is to keep praying that the report of the conference is implemented.

how did obama then springed suprised among the majority "whites" in america?

GateKeeper247: Well; as an Idoma man it hurts me so much when I move around the major cities and i see my People; roasting corn, frying akara and selling Okpa; with all their kidz it hurts so bad; what future is there to such a child who might never have the opportunity to a better life; from childhood he is made to support the family; by any-means necessary!; this sometimes pushes the kids to NEGATIVITY.
Idoma people are hard-working people this is evident from the successful men and women who started low and today are somewhere remarkable; The same determination that made my Father Walk from Okpoga the home of his father to Zaria; in search of a Job. Please my brothers and sisters; please and please lets watch over our kids give them the right education; Education counts, lets us build our selves; so we would move and shake the world. Education is all we need; Forget the TIVs and their quest for power someday, somewhere The liberation would come. My own Father though the world was totally against him struggled so hard; and today he is proud of what we his kids have become today; how did he do this he MINIMIZED his ALCOHOL consumption Yes please; It pains me to see the number of My Idoma brothers and sisters who are DRUNKS and PROSTITUTES; Our Schools today they've become breeding ground for CULTISM where would that take us please? Education is the best Legacy you can give to your kids.

My love 2 ur amazn dad!! It gives me so much pleasure weneva I come across dads who gave up so much for deir families. God bless my dad, my hero and all d dads like him n urs.
V a great day!!

I wonder how the TIVs want God to bless them when they failed to practice justice fairness and equity

Its just like Abians who are neglecting Southern Abia especially their rights to rule and yet think the heavens will favour them

It is a well known fact that despite massive investment of FG in some parts of Nigeria, those places and her people never developed because of the conscious oppression of the Igbos

That GEJ's govt is better than other govt is because of his efforts in administering justice fairness and equity.

Politics is a game of numbers and interest, the question is; how have the idomas played the game, Knowing fully well they can only be governor if the tivs are in line with them? What moves have they made? how has David Mark (idomas political leader) watered the ground in tivland for an idoma governor to grow?

The answers to the above is clear, an idoma will never be governor till they work for it! David mark being the senate president and highest political office holder in Benue, decided to use his office to encourage tribalism by conering all federal job openings to his idoma folks, thereby sidelining the tivs and growing the seeds of mistrust and suspicion. The tivs who are about 75% of the state are always given an average of 7% of slots in federal job openings while the idomas who are about 20% of the state get roughly 90% of the slots!! How then do you imagine that the tiv man will support an idoma for governoship knowing fully well that the seat of governor is all he has to rub his influence?

David mark did not play the cards well, he cannot point to any tiv man who calls the shots and say "I made this person", David Mark could have played the politics well by influencing the appointment of a tiv minister from zone A (instead of going for Abba Moro), influenced the appointment of parastatal heads from zone A and most importantly, encourage a level playing field with federal job openings. This would have made him have influence (to a ceratain degree) over Zone A (as he would have used his appointees to do his bidding) and with zone C already in his pocket, an idoma man would have stood a better chance at dragging the governoship with Zone B, but alas D.Mark chose to play the politics of senate president for the "idomas" and now people are asking about idoma governor? The mentality of the local tiv man is easy to decode, if you go to his domain as an idoma campaigning, he will simply ask you this question: what has the influence of the senate president and the fact that he is the number 3 man in the country done to me and my people?

The best ever chance the idomas had/have of being governor of benue state was bundled in "the politics of David Mark" and sadly, the man threw it away!!

nigerianvenom:

how did obama then springed suprised among the majority "whites" in america?

white people are more objective in descision making than Africans. Tivs who are the mojority will rather vote a "tiv dog" than voting an idoma man.

The minority can hardly do anything. In the North its everywhere o!!! Take any state and you will see a replica of Benue in it. Kogi(Igala as against Ibira,Yoruba etc), Borno (Kanuri as against Bura,Margi,shuwa etc) ,Adamawa (Fulani as againts Bachama,Michika etc),Kaduna (hausa as against Nok,South KD etc), Gombe, Bauchi,Kebbi,Sokoto, Katsina,Kano etc List them? That is why there needs to be some sort of rotation arrangement at state levels. Else the issues will keep growing until someday it turns to violence. The Idomas maybe asking nicely now but it will come a time they will resort to force out of desire and desperation. I hope the major ethnic groups could spare some sense and allow others a chance. Imagine 36 years and still they(Idomas) are begging!

acenazt: choii mehn any where u look for kd na Oyi and Oyineh you go see. Them don even plenty pass gbagyi sef.

hahahaha not to forget abole. It is rare to find an idoma with less than 7kids

torkaka: Politics is a game of numbers and interest, the question is; how have the idomas played the game, Knowing fully well they can only be governor if the tivs are in line with them? What moves have they made? how has David Mark (idomas political leader) watered the ground in tivland for an idoma governor to grow?

The answers to the above is clear, an idoma will never be governor till they work for it! David mark being the senate president and highest political office holder in Benue, decided to use his office to encourage tribalism by conering all federal job openings to his idoma folks, thereby sidelining the tivs and growing the seeds of mistrust and suspicion. The tivs who are about 75% of the state are always given an average of 7% of slots in federal job openings while the idomas who are about 20% of the state get roughly 90% of the slots!! How then do you imagine that the tiv man will support an idoma for governoship knowing fully well that the seat of governor is all he has to rub his influence?

David mark did not play the cards well, he cannot point to any tiv man who calls the shots and say "I made this person", David Mark could have played the politics well by influencing the appointment of a tiv minister from zone A (instead of going for Abba Moro), influenced the appointment of parastatal heads from zone A and most importantly, encourage a level playing field with federal job openings. This would have made him have influence (to a ceratain degree) over Zone A (as he would have used his appointees to do his bidding) and with zone C already in his pocket, an idoma man would have stood a better chance at dragging the governoship with Zone B, but alas D.Mark chose to play the politics of senate president for the "idomas" and now people are asking about idoma governor? The mentality of the local tiv man is easy to decode, if you go to his domain as an idoma campaigning, he will simply ask you this question: what has the influence of the senate president and the fact that he is the number 3 man in the country done to me and my people?

The best ever chance the idomas had/have of being governor of benue state was bundled in "the politics of David Mark" and sadly, the man threw it away!!

Now I understood why they say tivs are greedy. you occupy the position of governor and you want to still occupy ministerial post again? Then what will be left for the idomas?

Eldavido1:

Now I understood why they say tivs are greedy. you occupy the position of governor and you want to still occupy ministerial post again? Then what will be left for the idomas?

You people keep stressing on the tribal card instead of demanding for visionary leaders. What have the tiv governors or idoma ministers done so far to better your lots?

AMINDA:
You people keep stressing on the tribal card instead of demanding for visionary leaders. What have the tiv governors or idoma ministers done so far to better your lots?

Benue state has never had a visionary leader and I'm convinced it won't be getting any visionary leader at least for the next 20 or more years judging from the characters involved in politics in that state.. So I'd recommend that they start rotating the governorship position among these visionless people across the state (from tiv to idoma back to tiv) for the sake of equity.

Eldavido1:

Now I understood why they say tivs are greedy. you occupy the position of governor and you want to still occupy ministerial post again? Then what will be left for the idomas?

Chief, it's called politics, no one is going to give the idomas the governorship on a platter of gold. David Mark had the influence, benue has two ministers and he (mark) influenced the appointment of one. He could have easily influenced the appointment of the two if he had a game plan! This is democracy and plot to achieve, you need numbers,and you can only get numbers if something is in it for the multitude.

AMINDA:
You people keep stressing on the tribal card instead of demanding for visionary leaders. What have the tiv governors or idoma ministers done so far to better your lots?

Well if we should follow your logic, the tivs can swell be the governors, deputy, ministers, local government chairmen. For as long as competent men can be produce by the tivs, the can as well occupy every position in the state given the are in the majority. Even in the develop democracies theirs what the call "affirmative action" for minorities dear.