I want to contribute to the on-going debate on Power Shift to Idoma land in Benue State with the following remarks / views. In a true democracy and in the spirit of justice and fairness, one would not see anything wrong in power shift to Idoma Land. This is natural, after all one good turn deserves another.
Such power shift will promote unity and provide a sense of belonging to our brothers and sisters, in-laws and friends from Idoma land and stop the agitation for a separate state. Such power shift may benefit the Tiv people more because the areas of friction and conflict among the Tiv people, may be removed, the induced carnage that took place in Kwande and Zaki Biam would not happen, there may be no clannish discrimination, no divisive tendencies etc, no over-dependent on government for burials, marriages, births, etc people may be compelled to be more independent and work harder, rather than becoming cheap gossips, parasites, sycophants, pimps and back-biters etc. An Idoma Governor may restore discipline in the State Civil Service, stop the abuse of Tiv elders on Radio Benue, show more respect to traditional, institution, and stop the recruitment of Tiv youths’ as government thugs etc.
However, I do not believe that we are practicing true democracy in Nigeria. It is clearly a case of civilian dictatorship by a government which imposed itself on the people through brazen electoral fraud, and became a demy god and intolerant of diverse views. A government which is not allowing local government councils in the state to use its statutory allocation to develop the council areas, but rather to criminally deduct and share the money among themselves regardless of whether salaries are paid or not.
The present government of Benue state under Chief George Akume has not performed even though records show that she received over 43.60 billion naira allocation from the Federation account- an amount higher than what past governments of the state received.
The government of Akume is conscious of its non-performance and organized treasury looting and therefore wants to install another puppet who would not probe their administration, but rather keep their secrets secret. A puppet whom they can easily manipulate. They believe that any one who emerges as governor of Benue State from the Tiv speaking area may probe them and it may not be business for them as usual for “the Alibaba and the forty thieves” They believe that no Idoma man will probe them because the Idomas have remained silent over everything even including the false claim by governor Akume that he established a cement factory for them in Igumale.
Indeed no one from Idoma land has ever condemned the government of Akume. Rather people fall on one another to commend and congratulate him for the establishment of non-existent Ulayi Cement factory in Igumale and for public appointment. Its funny. Secondly Akume and his group will intimidate and harass any Idoma man who emerges as Governor with threats of impeachment if he fails to act their script, considering their population and number in the Benue State Assembly. I also understand that the desire to shift power to Idoma land, has to do with pecuniary matter in which the late Mr. Andrew Agom is mentioned. For these and other reasons, they prefer an Idomaman for the number one position in the state.
I am not saying that no Idomaman is fit to be the governor of Benue state for reasons highlighted above. Of course there are many suitable and tested men of proven integrity, fine gentlemen who may probably be more useful and more effective as governor of the state, than the puppet now occupying that position.
The likes of General Lawrence Onoja etc are there. In fact I have nothing against the Idoma’s as I have maternal brothers and sisters including valuable friends there. What we expect is a person who will probe Akume, and compel Akume to vomit all the money he and his gang have defrauded the state of. Ironically no one is mentioning Prince Ojiri Ajene as the possible successor to Akume. This shows how selfish these people are.
What I am advocating is that, both the Idomas and the Tivs of like-minds should come together to produce one formidable and credible candidate for the governorship position and thereafter take steps to prevent election rigging. Such candidate must not be greedy, must not be an alcoholic, must not be a money monger and must be properly exposed, must be God fearing, honest and considerate, must be sociable and experienced. He must be some one who is fairly civilized, one who has traveled far and wide and one with character. Not a fish in the well and an opportunist. In every democracy in the civilized world there is room for opposition. In our dear country we are drifting to one-party system which is not healthy for our economic and social development. We are not yet honest, tolerant and civilized enough to operate a one party system of government in Nigeria. In Benue State the mere dangling of a wretched naira note causes people to fall on one another and decamp to the ruling party.
Ideology no longer matters, only NAIRA does. If there is no opposition to put the government in check, how can we achieve development? To decamp depicts greed, weakness, selfishness, dishonesty, impatience and indecision. The day of the opposition will surely come. God’s mill grinds slowly. Akume has taken advantage of the poverty and ignorance of our people and the greed and selfishness of the few enlightened ones to defraud the state. Yes there is no money to pay salaries and develop the state, but there is money to lavishly bury the dead against God’s injunction.
These opportunists may glow with the rising sun but when the sun sets, the darkness of the night will envelop them. The judgment of history will definitely condemn them to the infamy of posterity.
“No matter how long a journey may be, it, must come to an end” says Kalulu the Hare. Our support will go to any candidate who will probe Akume and turn him over to ICPC. This is my position and I believe, I am speaking the minds of honest people in Benue state. If he is not probed anyone who comes after him will commit more havoc, and the state will continue to suffer and remain undeveloped.
We must collectively stand against election rigging and other electoral fraud. What is happening in the National Assembly today is the end product of election rigging. The threat to recall senators is also the bye product of rigging. However if our politicians insist on election rigging then the laws on exam malpractices, financial crimes, Anti Corruption (ICPC), 419 should be abrogated.
There should be a law to compel the police not to take bribes at road blocks and for bail etc, the same should apply to customs and other Para-military establishments. All these crimes and electoral fraud are crimes of dishonesty. If our politicians can be too dishonest and mean as to rig election, what moral justific-ation have they to enact laws against dishonesty? We must all rise against election rigging if we are to move forward as a nation. I am sure Traparency International (TI) did not include election rigging while considering our position in the world in its corruption rating. I am pretty sure if they did, we could have come out with a solid Gold and a trouphy.
Can’t our leaders for once tarry a while and remember that the supreme creator is watching us all? Where shall we take this money to? No where of course, God help us.
Alhaji Tsav, a retired Commissioner of Police writes from Kano.
