By Iorliam Shija
Since September 1985, when urged by their paramount ruler, Tor Tiv Orchivirigh Akperan Orshi, the Mzough U Tiv began organizing Tiv Day in Gboko. After many years of hibernation, His Royal Majesty Prof. James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, the Tor Tiv, also approved the resumption of the event.
However, one critical issue stood out clearly, the event was moved from September to December. Those who attempted to justify this change cited environmental conditions, arguing that December was more suitable. Yet, they conveniently avoided addressing the real issue, the political factors that caused Tiv Day to go into hibernation in the first place. Sadly, yesterday’s event once again exposed the same problem. It is simply bad politics resurfacing. Tor Tiv, Akperan Orshi was deeply concerned about his people.
When he was elected the 3rd Tor Tiv on 10th March 1979, following the death of his predecessor, Orchivirigh Gondu Aluor (who died on 17th November 1978), Orshi inherited a deeply divided Tivland. Though his emergence came 19 years after the Nande Nande political crisis and 23 years after the Atem Ityough crisis, the effects of these Tiv political riots remained largely unresolved.
More pressing during the early years of his reign were the bitter divisions arising from the 1979 gubernatorial election between Aper Aku and Mr. P.R.V. Belabo, as well as the controversy surrounding Orshi’s own emergence as Tor Tiv.
From as far back as 1969, when Wantaregh Paul Unongo wrote and open letter, Tivland had experienced repeated political fragmentation, similar to what occurred in the early 1960s. However, the 1979 general election produced an overwhelming political force with which Senator Joseph Sarwuan Tarkaa effectively “won and took all.” He installed Aper Aku as Governor, himself as Senator, and his son, Hon. Simeon Mbakorkaa Tarkaa, as a member of the House of Representatives. He also ensured the emergence of Akperan Orshi as Tor Tiv, despite the fact that many elders and kingmakers believed it was the turn of Ipusu from Kwande, and had even presented a candidate.
While Unongo may have used a proxy in 1979, the 1983 general election marked a turning point. With Aku seeking a second term and Orshi barely four years on the throne, Paul Unongo decided to contest the governorship himself. Apart from the 2011 gubernatorial election between Gabriel Suswam and Prof. Steve Ugbah, no election in living memory divided Tivland as deeply as the 1983 election.
Although Aper Aku eventually won, Tivland lost far more. Lives were lost. Unity was shattered. Peace disappeared. Even after the military seized power on 31st December 1983, ending that political dispensation, Tor Tiv Orshi was wise enough to know that military intervention did not automatically resolve Tiv political crises.
While politicians celebrated electoral victories, Orshi recognized that Tiv identity and unity were collapsing. On his 60th birthday, he invited prominent Tiv sons and daughters to his birthplace and passionately appealed to them to establish a non-partisan forum that would chart a new course for Tivland. This had been his consistent message since ascending the throne.
As documented:
“Saddened by his inability and want of peace and progress in Tivland, which was aggravated by the common phenomenon of incessant intra-tribal fighting and killings of fellow Tiv brothers and sisters, as well as the ubiquitous pull-down syndrome of those who are up the ladder of success, the Tor Tiv wished the Tiv people to change.”
Out of this vision was born the Mzough U Tiv.
Aims and Objectives of Mzough U Tiv:
To promote and provide a forum for unity, peace, and harmony among Tiv people in particular and Nigerians in general.
To promote, secure, and enhance social, cultural, and agricultural advancement of Tiv people in particular and Nigerians in general.
To promote, provide, and preserve educational, health, and other social institutions at all levels permitted by law.
To provide a forum for dissemination of information and exchange of ideas among members and to receive and impart such information.
To promote, preserve, and enhance the traditional institution of chieftaincy, marriage, and Tiv native law and customs.
To promote and encourage the development of Tiv language and literature.
To engage in economic activities for the benefit and wellbeing of members and the association.
To perform any other act incidental or conducive to achieving these objectives.
In 1985, the leading Tiv politician of the time, Paul Unongo, refused to participate in the formation of the Mzough U Tiv. Along with his supporters they boycotted Mzough u Tiv. Wantaregh was suspicious of the Tor Tiv’s intentions. Unongo believed the association was created to rally pro-Tarkaa supporters and frustrate his emergence as a Tiv political leader (it should be recalled that Tarkaa died on 30th March 1980).
Despite this resistance, the Mzough U Tiv survived and introduced Tiv Day. Unongo ignored the early celebrations.
In 1987, having ingratiated himself with the military government, Unongo prevailed on the then Military Administrator not to attend Tiv Day. He also instructed council chairmen loyal to him—J.A. Aligba (Katsina-Ala), Jacob Damjor (Gboko), and Nyianshima Bur (Kwande)—to boycott the event. However, pressure from Tiv officers in the military, including Col. J.M. Inienger and Brig. S.G. Ikya, compelled the Military Administrator, Col. J.I. Bakut, to attend.
When Bakut realized he had nearly been misled, he became furious and dismissed the chairmen who boycotted Tiv Day.
By 1989, 1992, and 1993, Unongo began attending Tiv Day in Gboko but repeatedly clashed with the organizers. The disputes were most evident during the 1989 and 1992 editions, when he demanded to address the gathering. The leadership refused, fearing that Unongo would use Mzough U Tiv as a political platform to advance his personal ambitions.
From those days to the present, partisan politics has consistently undermined Tiv Day and weakened the potential of Mzough U Tiv as a truly formidable, unifying institution.
After many years of dormancy, Tiv Day was held again yesterday, and once more, the politics of the day dominated the event. In the past, such a situation would not have been allowed to happen the way it did, but yesterday the escalation that was filmed live to the world exposed Tiv in a very bad light.
Clearly, Tiv are not ready to learn from history. Shame.
Shija wrote from Abuja
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