Tiv Community asks Governor Ishaku to fast track return of IDPs
Jethro Yerga
The Tiv Community of Taraba State has called on the Executive Governor of Taraba State Arc Darius Dickson Ishaku to fast track the return of Tiv Displaced Persons to their ancestral homes in some parts of the state before the expiration of his tenure.
The community made this call in a Communique issued to press at the end of the 22nd Tiv Day Celebration held in Bali town, Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State.
In the six points Communique duly signed by the chairman, Tiv Traditional Leaders Council, Taraba State, Chief David Gbaa Tella, Ter Bali II, and the General Secretary, Tiv Traditional Leaders Council, Chief Nelson Targema Ukange, the group noted with dismay that for more than three years now, so many Tiv communities that were displaced as a result of crisis in some parts of the state are not able to access their ancestral homes thus, making life difficult for the IDPs in their various camps and casting fear that they may be disenfranchised in the 2023 general elections.
The group however, appreciated the Executive Governor of Taraba State, Arc Darius Dickson Ishaku for appointing their sons and daughters in his government.
Harping further on the forthcoming elections, the Tiv Community frawn at the manner in which Tiv are recognized during electioneering campaigns but denied after elections were won and called on their registered voters to collect their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) and vote for the interest of the Tiv people and not political parties.
It further condemned in totality the crisis going on in Takum Local Government Area of the state and called on stakeholders in the area to address the issue with all forms of urgency.
“We condemn the insecurity bedeviling the state, especially kidnapping, and we are calling on all Tiv people to shun criminality but encourage the youth to go to school
“We equally urge the youth to revive the spirit of respecting elders and shun all forms of vices”. The communique reads in part.