Tiv traditional council vows to stand on Benue ranching law

Backs Ortom On Implementation

Tiv Traditional Council, TTC, yesterday unanimously agreed to stand by Governor Samuel Ortom in the implementation of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law 2017.

The council made its position known at its Supreme Council meeting (Ijir Tamen) held in Gboko, the traditional home of the Tiv nation, after the Tor Tiv, Professor James Ayatse conducted a voice vote which saw representatives of all intermediate areas of Tiv land, namely: Jemgbagh, Jerchira, Kwande, Minda and Sankera unanimously rejecting any attempt to suspend the ranching law of the state.

According to the royal fathers, “if Governor Ortom would be crucified because he chose to resist the invasion and occupation of the Tiv land, we are ready to be crucified with him.”

They urged him to stand firm and resist any attempt to surrender to herders under whatever guise.Addressing the Council of Chiefs, Governor Ortom stated that his rejection of the organized pogrom against the Benue people was the beginning of his travails.

Ortom informed the council that Senator George Akume has connived with enemies of the state to work against Benue people, stressing that the probing of his security vote and the failed impeachment move were part of the grand plan to oust him from office in accordance with the plan of Miyetti Allah and other Fulani groups.

The Governor also intimated that, he left the All Progressives Congress, APC, for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP because the interest of Benue people was not protected.According to him, “I could not continue to hang around people who had openly demonstrated hatred for my people including their means of livelihood.”

Also at the event, both Governor Ortom and the Tor Tiv urged those yet to register in the ongoing voter registration exercise to do so within the two weeks’ extension. They advised those who registered but were yet to collect their permanent voter’s cards to do so immediately.