‘Tender Unreserved Apology for Trading with Tiv People’

Igbawase Ukumba in Lafia

An umbrella body of the Tiv people of Nasarawa State, Tiv Development Association (TIDA), yesterday demanded unreserved apology from its former president, Mr. Boniface Ifer, for trading with the Tiv people of Nasarawa State for selfish reasons.

There was a malicious publication designed to blackmail and bring the immediate past President of the TIDA and Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Public Affairs to Governor Abdullahi Sule, as well as the Government of Nasarawa State to disrepute by some members of the Tiv community in the state.

Consequently, in a statement jointly issued by Mr Solomon Chunku and Mr Emmanuel Tseem, TIDA President and Secretary respectively cautioned Boniface Ifer against dragging the name of Tiv community in the mud for selfish gains.

The statement read: “Ordinarily, this show of envy and petty jealousy against an innocent and promising young man coming from a former president of the TIDA, Boniface Ifer and his script writer, both of whom are men of questionable characters within the Tiv community deserves no response, however, it has become necessary.

“The Tiv nation is not a political party and cannot be seen to be responding to issues of one political party versus the other.”

Accordingly, the statement explained that Mr Peter Ahemba, upon his appointment as Senior Special Assistant by Governor Abdullahi Sule, resigned his position as TIDA President and handed over the affairs of the association to the Tiv Council of Elders, led by the Ter Tiv of Nasararwa State, His Royal Highness, Chief Clement Ibo (JP).

The statement continued: “The Ter Tiv of Nasarawa subsequently convened a Congress where the nomination of Mr Solomon Chunku by Mbabai clan to complete Peter Ahemba’s tenure was unanimously approved, in line with the provisions of TIDA constitution (2019 as amended); which states that, “where a serving TIDA official is appointed into a political office, he/she should resign his position in TIDA to face the new office”.

The statement, therefore, drew the attention of the general public to the fact that, TIDA was the only recognised umbrella body that spea