A group under the aegis of Idoma Proactive Diaspora Coalition (IPDC) said it has reported Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia to God, over his continuous marginalization of the Idoma ethnic group.

The group noted that It has reported the governor before the international community as the governor’s actions amounts to ethnic persecution, which is a crime against humanity.

The group made Its position known in a statement, signed by it’s President, Dr. Alechenu Amali, and made available to newsmen in Abuja.

The group said they have given up unless God or the international community intervenes.

The group stated that, after Senator George Akume left office as Governor, all the positions that used to be reserved for the Idoma have now gone to the Tiv ethnic group.

The group decried that, despite the massive votes given to Alia by Idoma people of Benue South, the governor has given the minority ethnic groups the worst treatment ever meted to them.

“Unfortunately, Fr. Alia was voted massively by the Idoma people, thinking that as a clergyman he would be fair to the minority, but he has even become worse.

” The Idoma people have now given up and can only go back to God or cry to the International Community”, he said.

According to the group, Governor Alia has marginalized the Idoma people in terms of apointments and projects, as all major apointments and projects have gone to the Tiv ethnic group, including rural roads which have awarded only in Tiv land.

Dr. Amali disclosed that, choice offices like the Secretary to the Benue State Government, SSG, Commissioner of Works, Commissioner of Education, Commissioner of Health and Human Services, Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs were all Tiv people.

He also mentioned the Benue Investment and Property Company, (BIPC), Benue Internal Revenue Service(BIRS), Local Government Service Commission, Benue State Urban Development Board, Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Vice-Chancellor of Benue State University(BSU), Benue State Examination Board, Benue Links Nigerian Limited, Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project(RAAMP), and a host of other juicy offices as those occupied by Tiv people under the Alia administration.

The group further disclosed that, Governor Alia was vigorously pursuing the ethnic persecution of Idoma people,with the intention of relegating the Idoma people to an unimportant or powerless position in the state.

The group further explained that, why Dr. Nathaniel Oche who was appointed as Rector of the Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokolo, for a five- year tenure by the administration of Chief Samuel Ortom was removed by Governor Alia less than six months in office, a Tiv man, Engr. Dr. Emmanuel Barki, has been appointed as Rector in acting capacity, whereas Tiv people have already been appointed in substantive capacity in state institutions where a Tiv man was sacked.

Dr. Amali questioned why the governor has allowed a Tiv man to continue in Acting capacity as Rector where an Idoma man was removed within six months in office, but same governor was quick to appoint a Tiv man in substantive capacity where a Tiv man was sacked.

The group concluded with an appeal on Governor Alia to purge himself of ethnic chauvinism and favoritism, maintaining that, as a clergy man, Govenor Alia ought to be fair to all, not persecute or marginalize any ethnic group. (Vanguard)

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