Hir Joseph
16 December 2008
Governor Gabriel Suswam and the Tor Tiv, Orchivirigh Dr. Alfred Akawe Torkula at the grand finale of this year's Tiv Day celebration in Gboko, Benue State at the weekend took a swipe at politicians of the Tiv extraction, accusing them of manipulating the people for selfish gains.
Discussions at the cultural event centered on dishonourable politicians as they said Tiv people must show such politicians the way out in the interest of development of the area.
Both speakers observed that in spite of the publicity given for the event, most Tivs, particularly top politicians refused to attend for unknown reasons, as they neither sent representatives nor apologies. It was observed that leading Tiv politicians including Senators George Akume, Joseph Akaagerger, a former national chairman of the People's Democratic Party, Chief Barnabas Gemade, Dr. Jack Tilley Gyado, Dr. Godwin Dabo' Adzuana, Chief Abu King Shuluwa, Senator Joseph Waku and others failed to attend the event. Governor Suswam who delivered the closing address particularly noted that though these politicians are title holders, they have been ignoring the people's cultural event with impunity.
The governor said the event failed to attract leading politicians because it was not about politics and its pecks, and therefore urged the people to shun such politicians when they come seeking votes in future.
"Because this event has nothing to do with politics or elections and the accompanying pecks, our leading politicians in Tiv land refused to attend. They would have been the first guests to be seated at the event if it was politics. They have been ignoring the people because when they come at elections, they throw a few naira notes in the air and our people follow them. I am urging the people to start ignoring these politicians, they are anti-people", Suswam said in Tiv.
The governor also enjoined the people to pray for former Chief of Army Staff and ex-ECOMOG commander in Liberia, Lt. General Victor Malu (Rtd) who has been bedridden for a month now. Victor Malu is receiving treatment in a London hospital for stroke.
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