Youths caution Suswam, Moro against politicising Tor Tiv, Akume face-off

Don’t drag Ortom into your fights, aide tells minister
The Tiv Youth Advancement Vanguard (TYAV) yesterday asked members of the Benue State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus in the National Assembly to stop politicising the face-off between Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, George Akume and the Tiv Traditional Council.

The Guardian recalled that the Tiv Area Traditional Council had summoned Akume over his alleged derogatory comments against the Tor Tiv, Professor James Ayatse.

But in a statement issued by its convener, Tyohemba Denen, the TYAV admonished senators Gabriel Suswam and Abba Moro not to cause disaffection between Akume and the Tiv Traditional Council.

“We have read a communiqué signed by members of the Benue State PDP caucus in the National Assembly, which Moro presented to the press on the lingering misunderstanding between Akume and the Tiv Traditional Council.

“TYAV has enormous respect for the Tiv Traditional Council and will not encourage denigration of the stool. We will also not accept a situation where non-indigenes will be recruited to attack a prominent Tiv son.

“We have however watched with utter consternation how the issue involving the Tor Tiv and Akume has been hijacked by the state’s PDP, as can be seen in their statements,” the group stated.

Besides, Governor Samuel Ortom’s Spokesman, Terver Akase, yesterday advised Akume not to drag the governor into his fights.

He said Media Aide to the Minister, Dr. Aondona Mkor, had in a press release in response to the statement issued by Benue State Caucus in the National Assembly condemning Akume’s verbal assault on the Tor Tiv, blamed Governor Ortom for the barrage of condemnations trailing his principal’s invectives on the Tiv paramount ruler.

Mkor also suggested that Ortom should have been invited by the Tiv Traditional Council to brief it on his performance, issues of salaries and pensions, as well as the construction of a new palace for Tor Tiv.

But in a swift reaction, Akase said the governor did not at any time advise Akume to insult the Tor Tiv, insisting that it was misplaced aggression for Mkor to blame the governor for the negative reactions from Benue people regarding his untoward comments against the Tor Tiv.

“He (Akume) ought to face the consequences of his actions and spare Ortom any blame. As a prominent son of Benue who has occupied top positions including that of governor, Akume didn’t need any counsel on the etiquette of showing respect for the royal fathers,” the statement added.