Tiv leaders wade into Tsav, Ortom rift

Monarch restates collective efforts to salvage Tiv nation
The Tiv leaders, led by the Tor Tiv, His Royal Majesty, Prof. James Ayatse, yesterday waded into the rift between Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, a retired police commissioner and Governor Samuel Ortom. They urged the two parties to embrace peace.

The leaders particularly advised Tsav to retract his petitions against the governor and also tender a public apology within two weeks after which the governor should direct the withdrawal of criminal proceedings initiated against him.

The meeting was held at the Presidential Lodge of the Benue Peoples House at the instance of Tsav who wrote to the monarch requesting him to intervene in the matter. The Tor Tiv directed the Tor Jechira, Chief Clement Uganden, and his Lobi counterpart, Chief Moses Anageende, to monitor compliance with the advice given to the two parties and report to him.

Tsav, who pledged to heed the advice within the stipulated period and also direct the withdrawal of the suit he instituted at the Federal High Court in Makurdi with respect to the matter at hand, apologised to the leaders for his actions and promised to refrain from writing further petitions against the governor.

But Ortom directed Andrew Wombo handling the criminal matter to withdraw the case as soon as Tsav complies with his demands for retraction as well as public apology.Meanwhile, the paramount ruler of the Tiv nation has stated that salvaging Tiv land requires the co-operation and understanding of all.

The monarch, who spoke at a civic reception organised in his honour at Koti by the Shange-Ya Development Association in Kwande Local Council of Benue State, said looking unto God as his divine guidance, he was optimistic that under his kingship, the multifaceted challenges currently confronting the Tiv Nation would be properly addressed.He restated his earlier stance to remain apolitical and a father to all Tiv sons and daughters.

He also called on other subordinate chiefs to also remain neutral so as to enable them settle misunderstandings among their subjects whenever they arise.