Why I’ve Not Created Autonomous Tiv District In Nasarawa – Governor Sule

Nasarawa State governor, Engr.Abdullahi Sule, has explained why his administration has not created an autonomous district and chiefdom for the Tiv people in the state, despite his personal desire to do so.

The governor said he is being careful not to create a traditional stool that would lead to communal clashes and loss of innocent lives.

Governor Sule stated this when he hosted a delegation of Tiv Development Association (TIDA) led by its president, Barr. Barnabas Zayol, at the Government House, Lafia.

Responding to TIDA’s request for the creation of an autonomous Tiv district and chiefdom and the replacement of the long dead gazetted village heads in 14 village areas, the governor said his dream when he came into office seven years ago was to give the Tiv extraction a traditional ruler before leaving office.

He explained that the major obstacle had been acceptance by host communities, especially the Alago people where most Tiv live.

“But I knew I have to do my best with especially the Alago communities where the Tiv people live to make sure that they accept it. Because I remember anytime I brought the matter up, there is always a lot of big fireworks and then I would retract,” he noted.

The governor revealed that he has now enlisted the help of the Tor Tiv to interface with the Osana of Keana, the Andoma of Doma and the Emir of Lafia to find a common ground.

“Recently, I spoke with the Tor Tiv to also help me to speak with the Osana of Keana, the Andoma of Doma and the Emir of Lafia so that even if we just go to Imoon and set it there, and say that is the Tor Tiv Nasarawa State in Imoon and give him staff of office. That would be enough,” he said.

Governor Sule stressed that his careful approach is to prevent bloodshed.

“And I didn’t want to create any traditional stool and the next thing would be fight. Killing innocent women and innocent children as a result. That is why I am being very careful,” he explained.

He reaffirmed that his administration will continue to promote peace and harmonious co-existence amongst various ethnic nationalities in the state, noting that sustainable peace is responsible for the multifaceted development witnessed since 2019.

He cited ongoing road construction from Ribi to Jangwa and from Jangwa to the farm through Ayekeke and other Tiv settlements as evidence that government is reaching Tiv communities with infrastructure.

On the issue of displaced persons, particularly from Doka in Keana and Giza areas, the governor said government is working with the local government and security agencies for their safe return, adding that some of their homes were destroyed and need to be rebuilt.

Earlier, TIDA president, Barr. Barnabas Zayol commended the governor for his giant strides in education, infrastructural development, agriculture and security.

He however appealed for the governor’s intervention to fast-track the selection of new village heads in 14 gazetted but unoccupied village areas namely: In Awe LGA – Gidan Ihuman, Anuku, Jangaru, Kaambe; In Doma LGA – Ashiakaa, Gborgyo, Tugudu, Uluwa; In Keana LGA – Omagede and Kuduku; In Obi LGA – Adudu West, Buair and Agawa; and in Lafia LGA – Chorum.

Zayol said despite their numerical strength and historical presence in Nasarawa State, the Tiv have no single district ruled by a Tiv person nor a chiefdom of their own, and appealed for legislation to create districts and chiefdoms in Tiv dominated areas to give them a sense of belonging.