The President General of Mdzough U Tiv, Mr. Edward Ujege has warned Benue Youths, particularly those of the Tiv extraction, to desist from reigning insults on the Tor Tiv and on elders of the state.
Ujege gave this warning, Friday when he spoke with the Next Edition in his residence in Makurdi concerning social media reports castigating the Tor Tiv.
Ujege said the Executive Committee of Mdzough U Tiv has noticed with grave concern the recent numerous hate messages on the social media directed at the Tor Tiv, a most revered paramount ruler, HRM. Orchivirigh Prof. James Iorzua Ayatse.
“We wish to submit here that all the unsubstantiated attacks and innuendos against our paramount ruler are completely false and a great disrespect to a man of impeccable and exemplary character who has without considering any personal benefits chosen to serve the Tiv nation.”
Our correspondent reports that the Tor Tiv was alleged on social media, to have collected money from Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue to bribe the resident electoral commissioner to influence the outcome of last governorship election results.
In addition to the personal attacks on the Tor Tiv, the Mdzough U Tiv said the write-ups have unwittingly extended insults and disrespect to the Tor Tiv stool, the entire Tiv Traditional Council and the Tiv nation in general.
But Ujege insisted that “Our paramount ruler’s reputation and distinguished record precede any attempt to discredit his character.
“I want to say categorically that what they said is not true. The Tor Tiv has done nothing of such and he is too decent to do that.
“This is a man who is a renowned Professor, was vice chancellor of two federal universities and has just been appointed Chancellor of Abia State University. Amongst several other achievements within a relatively short reign, he has united our sons who were in the past sworn enemies.
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“This man is above petty politics and has never indulged in any. Moreover, he has directed all his traditional rulers to steer clear of partisan politics in the land.”
Mdzough U Tiv expressed the belief that the ugly disposition may have come from disgruntled political elements who might have lost their elections and are looking for cheap excuses for their failures.
The Mdzough U Tiv President General who condemned the writers for their acts describing their behaviours as anti-Tiv saying that the Almighty God was behind the Tiv nation and will defend it from unwarranted attacks and extend judgement equitably.
He noted with regret that “our children have failed to imbibe the culture of the Tiv nation. The culture we grew up with says we should respect our elders, fathers and mothers.
“But they have touched and insulted everyone, the Tor Tiv, the governor, his deputy, almost everyone. This is bad,” he said. He therefore assured that he will continue to pray for the Benue youths to turn a new leaf in such a way that they would respect constituted authorities as well as the elders so that their days will be long.
He also said Mdzough U Tiv has noticed with concern that although the Tiv are the fourth largest ethnic group in the nation, yet they have no presence at the national level; no minister, no permanent secretary, no special advisors.
He said this was why, wherever the nations policies were being made the Tiv have no say or share.
“Additionally, the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore has openly declared war on the Tiv nation and has further postulated that our land is theirs. Yet our hate seeking citizens have turned their back on those crucial issues and have instead reserved vicious attacks on innocent Tiv nationals.
The Mdzough U Tiv therefore advised our intellectuals and renowned sons and daughters to beam their search light on the federal level and ensure that the Benue youths have adequate employment opportunities in the Federal civil service, the security agencies, para military services and Federal infrastructural development in Tiv land and Benue State in general.
He also called on Benue people to be peaceful during the supplementary elections just as he urged security agencies to provide safety for all.
