HRM, the Tor Tiv, Orchivirigh, Prof James Ayatse has been advised to call the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume to order over what it noted were lopsided appointments in favor of the people of the Jemgbagh extraction of the Tiv nation in Benue state.

The group also decried the nomination of a relative of the SGF, Dr. Tyover Dajo of the Akume Dajo family as Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Wannune in Tarka Local Government Area (LGA) of the state and alleged plot by the SGF to have a former Governorship candidate in the state, Barr Emmanuel Jime removed as the Executive Secretary of Shippers’ Council of Nigeria.

Disclosing this at a Press Conference in Makurdi on Monday, Fannen Mondo, President, Zone ‘A’ Peoples’ Assembly (ZAPA) flanked by other members of the group warned the SGF to desist from the line he was towing as it may lead to his imminent downfall.

Mondo explained that in the text which was a formal letter sent to the paramount leader of the Tiv nation, ZAPA urged the Tor Tiv to use his office and intervene before the issues snowballs into an avalanche.

According to him, “We have heard disturbing news from a grapevine that he (SGF) is plotting a heavy opposition against the Governor of Benue state, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia.

“Alia’s singular sin is that he did not back Mrs. Becky Orpin as Speaker. Akume has more than a vested interest in Becky and desperately wanted her to occupy the number 3 seat in the state.

“Already, he is scheming to have his cousin (still in Jemgbagh) Dr. Tyover Dajo (George Akume DAJO) as Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Wannune to replace Prof Joseph Utsev whom he recently nominated as minister.

“In addition, we fear for Barr. Emmanuel Jime because we have also heard from a grapevine that Akume’s next move is to fight and remove Emmanuel Jime as Executive Secretary of the Shippers’ Council of Nigeria.

“Some pointers to this fact clearly manifest in the skewed ministerial appointment he masterminded to his Jemgbagh clan in contradistinction to the age-long Tiv principle of ‘ya na angbian’ (eat and give your brother). This principle ensures the spread of spoils and appointments to all sections of society to ensure equity.

“It is only appropriate that since Akume himself is the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, micro-zoning or taking the ministerial slot still to his native Jemgbagh is, in good conscience, not the right thing to do, and it’s totally out of the way.

“Furthermore, Akume in pursuit of his narrow Jemgbagh agenda ostensibly robbed the people of Lobi of what was due to one of their sons by out-scheming and setting aside merit to deny Dr. Stephen Hwande, a thorough-bred professional of the position of Chief Medical Director (CMD) in favour of his Jemgbagh clansman.

The most painful part of this unfortunate development is that Dr. Hwande had gone through the rigorous process as required by the laid down procedure. He came tops in the examination.”

Mondo however said, “We have no reason to disbelieve these feelers and stories from the grapevine because Akume has verifiable bona fides and credentials in fighting and destroying Tiv sons who have risen to stardom.

“We wish to warn and make it abundantly clear that Akume should be held responsible if Alia is destabilized. Moreover, Akume should be held responsible if Jime loses his position at the Shippers’ Council.

“We want to state clearly that Akume is not showing good leadership and statecraft in the moves he is making in the recent past. It is now crystal clear that he is consciously only concentrating his loyalties to Jemgbagh, the micro-community where he comes from, and not the larger Tiv race or even Benue state where he is the highest appointee of government as it were.”

Therefore, the ZAPA president said “Your Royal Majesty Prof J. O Ayatse—Begha U Tiv Sir, we are addressing this Press Conference at this time, in order to make our firm and fervent demands that border on the peace and progress of the Tiv kingdom.

“We know and believe that in steering the ship of state and the Tiv nation, it is within your powers and graces as duly conferred to intervene when matters are going bad between or among communities and even personalities across Tiv land.

“This we believe you have been doing and effectively so for the overall good and stability of the Tiv race.

“It is on this note that we write to you in utmost awe and reverence to call the SGF, Senator George Akume to order. We pray it is time he is cautioned not to allow his personal interest to outstrip and override that of the entire Tiv race.

“Finally, we call on your Royal Majesty to use your exalted office to act and pretty fast too to put out the spark of fire that has the potential of escalating into a wild conflagration that will bring down the whole house–Tiv race”, the ZAPA president warned. (Daily Independent: Text, Excluding Headline)

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