Tiv group seeks review of chiefdoms, districts created by ex-Taraba Gov Ishaku

An appeal to Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State to review the chiefdoms and districts created across the state by former Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku has been made by the leadership of the Ayatutu Cultural and Social Development Initiative (AYACASODI).

The group, whose members are of Tiv extraction, said some of the chiefdoms created have not only led to eruptions of unrest but have also led to the destabilisation of peace in such communities.

Led by its National Secretary, David Nyiagee, AYACASODI frowned at the alleged injustice meted out to the Tiv in Taraba by the administration of the immediate past governor and stressed the need for the incumbent administration to right the wrongs.

Apart from the alleged injustice they claimed to have suffered as a result of the creation of chiefdoms and districts, the group also alleged that lands belonging to the Tiv were “illegally confiscated” by the Ishaku administration.

The group, appealing for a review of the process in the interest of justice, peace, inclusion, and development,” stated: “In 2018, the immediate past Governor, Darius Ishaku, created and upgraded 54 chiefdoms in Taraba. He further created chiefdoms and districts in almost every village and hamlet in Taraba State but deliberately refused to create even one chiefdom for the Tiv people in the entire Taraba State, despite historical records that clearly favour the creation of Tiv chiefdoms and districts.

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“The exercise led to the creation of Chanchanji Chiefdom in Takum Local Government Council, which is predominantly Tiv but named after Chamba; Chanchanji as a village has its own small territory with a culture totally different from the Tiv culture that is the majority.”

Citing the steps so far taken by the governor in bringing the people of the state together irrespective of religious, political, and tribal differences, AYACASODI said it is optimistic that the marginalisation of Tiv in Taraba will soon become a thing of the past.

“The steps taken so far in developing Taraba by Governor Kefas are hope-reviving for the citizens,” the group stated.