Steer clear of Tiv affairs, aggrieved youths warn Moro …Blasts Suswam, Mark
ABUJA- The lawmaker representing Benue South Senatorial district, Abba Moro has been warned to desist from meddling in the affairs of the Tiv ethnic nationality of Benue state.
Youths under the auspices of Tiv Youth Advancement Vanguard, TYAV, gave the warning yesterday in a statement signed by its convener, Comrade Tyohemba Denem.
According to the group, Moro is partly to blame for the growing feud between Minister of Special Duties, Senator George Akume and the Tiv Paramount traditional ruler, Professor James Ayatse, even as it described the alleged meddlesomeness as an attempt to denigrate the Tiv traditional stool.
The convener also took a swipe at Senator Gabriel Suswam, a former governor of Benue state, accusing him of working in sync with the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Assembly caucus to hijack the misunderstanding between the Tor Tiv and Akume.
The statement read: “Tiv Youth Advancement Vanguard, TYAV, has enormous respect for the Tiv Traditional Council led by Professor James Ayatse and will not encourage any denigration of the stool. We will not also accept a situation where non tribes will be recruited to attack prominent Tiv sons.
“We have however watched with utter consternation how the issue involving the Tor Tiv and Minister of Special duties and inter-governmental affairs, Senator George Akume has been hijacked by the PDP in the State as can be seen in the press release by the PDP Cacus of the National Assembly.
“We have information that the PDP intends to sponsor more protests against Sen George Akume to score cheap political goals in the coming days.
“TYAV condemns very firmly the dragging of the TIV traditional council into the politics of PDP and the recruitment of Senator Abba Morro, a non-tribe to insult and ridicule a highly respected son of Tiv Land, Senator George Akume.
“We condemn this in very strong terms. We warn Senator Abba Moro to steer clear of issues that basically the Tiv people.”
The group did not spare former Senate President, David Mark, whom it accused of failing to accord respect to the traditional ruler of his Idoma nation, only to be showing interest in Tiv traditional council.
“It is on record that all through the reign of HRH. Agabaidu Abraham Ajene
Okpabi Och’Idoma II, Senator David Mark never accorded him any respect. He never visited the palace. It is not recorded anywhere that Abba Moro cautioned Sen. Mark over this issue either privately or publicly. Today, he
has been recruited to attack Senator George Akume over an issue that bothers on the Tiv Traditional council.
“Since Abba Moro likes addressing press conferences, he should tell same people why HRH Chief Elias Okoyi Obekpa does not attend public functions.
“Senator Suswam and Abba Moro are two sides of a coin, the two have cases of gun running against them currently going on in different courts.
The statement further noted: “Senator Suswam forced the late Tor Tiv HRM Affred Akawe Torkula and his chiefs to openly support the PDP. Indeed, he forced the late Tor Tiv to be Chairman PDP gubernatorial screening committee against all advice.
To further buttress his disdain for traditional institution, Senator Suswam has refused to recognize and accord respect to his immediate traditional ruler, HRH Chief Abu King Shuluwa as the Tor Sankera.
“Suswam as governor of Benue State deposed the Ter Nagi Chief Daniel Abomtse for the refusal to participate in active politics of PDP,” adding that “Suswam does not have any moral right and integrity to counsel anyone on respect for the traditional institution.”
Still on the Benue state lawmaker, the youths said “Senator Abba Moro has become popular for the wrong reasons ranging from alleged involvement in gun running in 2004, scandalous immigration recruitment under his watch as Minister of interior which resulted in the death of 16 innocent Nigerians. The exercised was also mired in corruption.
“Abba’s support for the infamous social media bill aimed at stripping Nigerians of right to free speech in the 9th Senate must stay far away from issues of the Tiv Traditional council.
“While serving as Minister, he made sure that Tiv sons and daughters were not recruited into the parastatals under his ministry.
“If Senator Abba Moro still has conscience, he would have avoided any plan aimed at pulling Akume down for political reasons having risen to political limelight through the benevolence of the Honorable Minister who made him Chairman of Okpokwu local government for several years amongst several other privileges.
“When Abba Moro’s name was sent to the senate for confirmation, Senator Akume gave him maximum cooperation and support.
“TYAV warns Senator Abba Moro very strongly to retrace his steps, terminate the contract he has been awarded as we shall not hesitate to take all legitimate means to prevent him from further interfering in issues of the Tiv traditional council and other prominent Tiv sons.”
By Eedris Yakubu