Mdzough U Tiv Chapter Presidents Worldwide, MUTCPW, has said it rejects RUGA settlement and whatever name so-called in its totality.
A communique issued at the end of Mdzough U Tiv Chapter Presidents Worldwide national meeting held in Markudi and made available by its secretary and chairman, Shimakyaa Iorkyase and Terkimbi Tyona, respectively, said, “The group stands with the governors of Benue and Taraba states on the issue of Ruga settlement.
“We do not have land for RUGA. People living in our states who engage in livestock should as a matter of modern practice endeavor to ranch.”
The group called on the Federal Government to cancel the idea of RUGA.
“The MUTCPW hereby put international community, USA, UK, among others on notice,” it said.
On the Tiv/Jukun crisis in Taraba state, the group said, “We commiserate with the families that lost their loved ones and whose properties are being destroyed. MUTCPW condemned the well planned killing of a lecturer and two students of Wukari University who are of Tiv extraction.
“We want to put it on record that Tiv are indigenes of Benue, Taraba, Nassarawa, Plateau, FCT and others; any attempt to deny us the rights of indigeneship shall be resisted with all vehemence and might. We called on the Governor of Taraba State as well as his Benue State counterpart to ensure an end to this endless crisis which is doing nobody any good. No meaningful development strives in a society ridden with crisis and choas.”
Participants at the meeting called on all Tiv sons and daughters wherever they were to live in peace, obey the laws of the land and be prosperous.
Mdzough U Tiv Chapter Presidents Worldwide therefore observed with concern the division being orchestrated by the political leaders in Tiv land and called on them to embrace peace and unity for the development and defense of Tiv nation.
“We call on His Excellencies, DR Samuel Ortom, Sen. George Akume, Sen. Gabriel Suswam to lead the path for true reconciliation in Tiv land.
In whatever we do, and whatever position we hold, Tiv nation must come first!!
Ayatutu Ka Uno? Ka Se!”, the statement said.
The meeting stressed the need for Tiv sons and daughters regardless of class and social status to come together for the advancement of Tiv agenda, saying that MUTCPW resolved that “party differences should not divide us rather it should be the basis for diverse development for the overall good of a Tiv person.
“The meeting resolved that Mdzough U Tiv, MUT, headed by Chief Engr Edward Iorshagher Ujege and the Begha U Tiv, Chief Prof James Ortese Ayatse should appeal to Tor Tiv V to ensure that a state Chapter of Mdzough U Tiv is established in Benue state.”
“It is, therefore, our firm believe that when the state chapter is established, the national body will have more time in supervising the other states of the federation and the diaspora as well as have the requisite exposure on Nigeria agenda as its affect the Tiv nation,” the participants observed.
