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Jukuns are a very cultured people
By HRH (Dr.) Sabo Azyidoku Emmanuel
Ethnically, the MINDA acronym, stands for Masev, Ihyarev, Nongov Development Association, another of the sub-group of the Ichongo genealogy of the parallel ancestry with the Turan, Ikyurav and Ugondo. These super-clans share the same progenitor-Tiv, with their Ipusu consanguinity and descendants viz. Shitile, Ukum, Kparev and Tongov super-clans of the same Tiv, Son to Takuruku, Son to Anyamadzenga. They are known with the Tiv sharing operational formula of “ya na angbian”- eat and give your brother, their guiding principle that ‘keeps’ them “one,” of equal attachment, the slogan of ‘Orne’, their National Anthem, ‘Ayaatutu ka u no? Kase’, with the dress- code of ‘anger’ clothe in black and white.
The MINDA groups are found predominantly in Guma, Gwer East, Gwer West and Makurdi Local government areas of Benue State. They, dramatically are always contentious on issues of territorial acquisition even amongst themselves, expressing bitterly on’ tar wase’- our land, our inheritance. Consider the age long feuds, truculence, skirmishes or crises between Nongov (Kaambe) against Mbakor, Masev against Ihyarev, Tyoshin against Agatu, Masev against Jukun Hausa, and Fulani, Ihyarev against Jukun, Hausa and Fulani. Nongov against Jukun, Hausa and Fulani, Ihyarev against Nongov, Jemgbagh against Etulo, Abakwa and Nyifon, Sankara against Etulo Abakwa andNyifon, Jechira against Udam, Kparev against Jukun, Hausa, Kuteb, MINDA against Kparev et cetera.
The MINDA shock tactics and those of the expanded Tiv lineages have a long historical antecedents. Think of the days of the Ichongo reunion or fraternity, and the Ijir Tamen, both, then sitting in Abinse. The present naïve MINDA generation toddlers as thingummies still fresh with breast milk, are milking the hocus-pocus from the hokum reservoir of the MINDA agenda. The Ihyarev-Nongov group in particular are having sleepless nights sowing seeds of discord, promoting disunity thus making life very miserable, a bizarre phenomenon like that of a dog in the manger. The injustices masterminded by the MINDA group speak volumes of their atrocities today. The Ihyarev- Nongov who are themselves strange bed fellows, can only regroup and fight a perceived enemy. Living within constant memories was the fatherly wisdom of our beloved royal father His Royal Majesty, Orchivirigh, Gondu Aluor, Tor Tiv II, who suggested in 1976, that the Headquarters of Makurdi Local Government Council be sited in Abinsi. Unfortunately, this suggestion was thrashed out by the menacing MINDA cult and made balderdash. Their spokes man then was one Mr. Peter Tarkende, who had the audacity and rudely gagged the Tor Tiv. As a young man then, way back in 1979, when he visited Abinsi and was hosted by Hon Anthony A. Abari, I had the courage to ask Mr. Peter Tarkende as to why he attacked the Tor Tiv with such rudeness. Mr. Peter Tarkende only jabbered, that “…I was only championing the cause of the people…”
The MINDA group with the brotherly/sisterly supported influence of the most powerful Ipusu group planned and executed all these mischievous deadly attacks on the non Tiv groups of today’s Benue State. The Jukun, the Etulo, the Nyifon, the Hausa, the Fulani peoples are all right there in the cauldron, getting the hard heating, suffocating and melting to a diminishing substance of a watery soup/sauce delicacy for the cannibals. Their actions have the superintending and overwhelming support on the nod by the mega umbrella, the tigerish freedom fighter of the Tiv Nation, the ‘Mdzough u Tiv’, right, there and permanently situated at the Tor Tiv Palace, in Gboko. ‘Mdzough u Tiv’, the sole voice that can ‘cough’ today with the solemn universal acknowledgement of the Tiv Nation within and outside the shores of this great country, Nigeria.
For how long will the Tiv people continue to create and build conflict situations that are not in the best interest of peace and tranquility? We are very much aware of Chief Abomtse’s ascension to the throne as Ter Tyoshin (Nagi II). All the brouhaha and hullabaloo that went with the installation are still fresh in peoples minds. A Daniel has truly come to judgment as the looming sour relationship between him and his principal then, would have had a devastating effect on his personality and his office. With due respect, somebody of this exalted position should be knowledgeable enough to know much about events around him. The colonial government reports and other archival minutes are there for His Royal Highness to vouch for. The Tiv people should not behave in the manner of a Pied crow, or Raven; a bird, (Hankaka i.e. the Hausa name ) who superstitiously will not lay eggs, but derives pleasure, to hunt those of other birds, grab and take away, hatch and take illegal possession of what is not legally their own.
As a flash back in the report headed by HRH Ayua D. Abomtse (JP) Ter Tyoshin (Nagi) II, in 2011 “For the documentation of Traditional Rulers in Tiv land…” where the case of Abinsi was extensively discussed and conclusion arrived at. His committee misfired by alleging that the Tiv people constituted the majority in Abinsi. Their claims, that “… the Tiv people formed 75% of the population within Abinsi District …” The Jukun, a cultured people give reverence to elders so much that anything coming from them is of quality, truth and reliable. One wonders how a traditional leader of chief Abomtse’s caliber should goof in such a manner. Even a blind, dead and dumb, knows that the claims cannot be authenticated. This hoity-toity scandal can undermine the integrity of any personality. We answer documents with documentations, therefore the records are there. Even though the Jukuns are not all that enterprising in sexual fecundity, their population tops the Tiv population resident in Abinsi, and even those of other tribes such as Hausa, Kabawa all put together. At least for the purpose of garnishing or adding flavor to his wife’s soup pot, a stop over at Abinsi daily market will clear His Highness, this malingering impugn about Jukun population vis-à-vis, Tiv’s. Besides, Abinsi town is a very good example of ribbon development. Just take a stroll from the old settlement of the town and move towards the Trunck ‘A’ road Makurdi-Gboko road that passes through, one can count Tiv houses numbering not up to 5, resident inside Abinsi town. One can only find traces of Tiv houses around in far away: Ijo, Orkuma, Pass brother areas keeping watch over their farms. All doubting Thomases can wiggle room before the cock goes to roost.
Literally, if there is anything a Tiv man hates, is history. They do not want to hear about the treks from Congo to the Benue river valley, Admittedly, we all came from somewhere, but what is so important, who first arrived? And that was why the book authored by Dr. Tesemchi Makar was banned from circulation some years ago. The book, “A History of Political Change…” states that when the Tiv arrived their present settlement, they met ‘ato-tiev’ i.e. non Tiv speaking people. Of specific mention are the Jukun, Alago, Agatu, Idoma, Igede, Etulo, Nyifon, Udam etc. This is very distasteful to a Tiv man and he can easily vent his spleen. History is what they dread to hear. I do remember, when my father, the ‘Abiseku of Abinsi, late Sabo Ajidoku II, most times was gagged at the Tor Tiv chambers, Gboko, at the council regular sittings, when he would argue on some very sensitive issues affecting his domain, evoking some aspects of historical facts to buttress his claims. Those who held contrary views would say “Tor Abetse de kwagh la. Ka kwagh u gise” meaning chief of Abinsi do not stress too much on the past- history. So naturally, a Tiv man does not like history because of their weak historical backgrounds. As bookish as they are, a very negligible percent are reading history as a research course of study. Bravo! I give Kudos to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Benue State, Dr Samuel Adorogo Ortom, who is currently in support of the call for the re-introduction of the teaching of history in all Nigerian Secondary Schools.
Historically, it may interest you to know that king (Chief) Ajidoku Agabi, a Jukun Man was the only certified traditional ruler with a third class staff of office in the whole of what was known as Tiv Division between 1912-1928. Not even to think of the institution of Tor Tiv, which was created in 1947, and His Royal Majesty Orchivirigh Makir Dzakpe became the first occupant. It was in Abinsi (not Gboko) that the grand installation took place under the eagle eyes of Abiseku Ataki Agabi, the king of Abinsi and the colonial government. Years after, the administrative machineries were shifted from Abinsi to Gboko. In fact the 1932 administrative jinx actually set the pace for all these injustices against the Jukun people. Even so as it were, Ichongo reunion whose offspring are of the MINDA confederacy was headed by Ulam Agasua, a Masev man, then as a Ter Ichongo, resident in Abinsi. He only superintended over Tiv matters. When Abinsi was merged with the Ihyarev East during the reorganization in the later years, the Head of the district was mindless of the Jukun activities, paying attention to only his kin and kith- the Tiv people. More so as the Jukun people resisted in strong terms this merger with the headquarters in Daudu. The Jukun people reluctantly preferred Agasha, a mere hamlet, probably due to their proximity.
Stressing on the good neighborliness and good relationship, Abiseku, Sabo Ajidoku II used to eulogize their Highnesses, Orchivirigh Makir Dzakpe, Orchivirigh Gondu Aluor and Ochivirigh Justice Dr Akperan Orshi as Tor Tiv I, Tor Tiv II, and Tor Tiv III respectively, of the blessed memories. Of these three (3) revered traditional rulers centainly not of MINDA cult, two (2) of them even married Jukun daughters. Baba Sabo Ajidoku had a very good working relationship with HRM Gondu Aluor, Tor Tiv II. When we were yet in the primary school I do remember that Tor Tiv used to visit the Abiseku Palace in Abinsi in his siren talking car as he drove in, which sounded pam-parampan, pam-parampan, paran, ran, ran ya ran ku; which we used to interprete in Hausa language as “gafaranku dai, gafaranku dai mai girma ya shiga garin ku.” Repeatedly, the sounds raided the air as the Mercedes Benz car moved majestically towards the palace. As usual, children would gather to welcome the Monarch in his precious and pleasurable Mercedes Benz car, the most fashionable car of Monarchs of the years past. And when the late senator Joseph Sawuan Tarka bought a car for the Tor Tiv, the Tor Tiv came to Abinsi, powered by their level of understanding and cordiality shared the joy with my father Sabo Ajidoku, the Abiseku of Abinsi. Still within living memories,I still recall when His Royal Majesty would build hopes in the minds of the Jukun people, not to worry about the administrative imbalances or negligence, assuring Sarkin Abinsi (as the paramount ruler used to say) with time things shall get better. His successor HRM Orchivirigh Justice Dr Akperan Orshi also assisted Abinsi greatly. But after these great royal fathers of blessed memories, are woebegone expressions and experiences.
Equally, the Abinsi people will not forget their Excellencies: Aper Aku (late) Rev. Father Moses Adasu (late) and the amiable Distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, George Akume, who during their time added value to the town and its people. Unfortunately, shortly after their tenures as Governors of Benue State, the Development Area Headquarters in Abinsi was unofficially taken to Agasha district of Nongov, a MINDA apologist. The Roof Tiles factory in Abinsi went comatose or moribund. The proposed Art Gallery, museum are all abandoned.
For an idle mind whose preoccupation is to eat dungs, and swim bathe like a synedons fish pop-up belie on the water surface and celebrating satisfaction, is indeed under a spell. Such an individual needs a magic wand, verily, verily to come out of it. For when something is hot, it burns, then it pains and anyone that feels it, knows it. We are trailing behind some great fighters of Tiv land who have been able to liberate their people. The likes of senator J.S. Tarka (Chief) Wantaregh Paul I.Unongu etc. Today, they are celebrated; their people are relatively free. Those of us who believe in this philosophy should continue with the struggle, victory shall come our way soon. Indeed, for a buffoon, life goes on, no matter whose ox is gored.
In a paper presentation titled “The kparev and Tiv Jukun Conflicts”, Terhemba O. Tserakaa was very emphatic about how the Tiv- Jukun crisis in Benue State, was handled. He did not argue like a real traditional Tiv man who is always in their crab-wise tradition. He broke the egg and condemned the unfair treatment meted to the Jukun people and their chief, Abiseku, Captain Clement Abayilo (rtd) now late. According to O’ Tserakaa-“for example, the Tiv want chieftaincy positions created for them in Taraba, but they have systematically reduced the chief of Abinsi to not even a clan head but a Kindred head and he was exiled. No Tiv chief was punished” Contributing more on the debate he said, “The migrant Kparev led by Adzaager Hindan, from ‘tar’ Mbaikion proceeded to settle at Abinsi… a reverine Jukunawa settlement.”
Yes, surprised? Something new can still come out of Nazareth. As a Tiv man he believes in fairness, the rule of law and justice. Well, that’s just a Tiv man with the fear of God. He is not a mediocre. He is properly schooled and groomed. So let us appreciate him for bailing us out from this dilemma. Let us close rank and struggle for total liberation, at least we should have a say in Benue State. At least, His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Benue State, Dr Samuel Adorogo Ortom, will be convinced that there are Jukun people in Benue State and with great joy and enthusiasm, will willingly add to the already multiple identification tribal emblem cap, or this groovy, clothing of the Jukun people to or on his multi-coloured hearted FEZCAP, as he goes about performing his legitimate duties in the Benue peoples House, Makurdi, Benue State of Nigeria; affirming the indigeneship of the Jukuns alongside others in Benue state.
In most cases, these gang-up, nagging- gagging and whispering campaigns against a polemicist can be an exercise in futility. This is because, the polemicist, who is equipped with materials of substance, stands graciously tall to debate on fundamental issues that some group members of the MINDA structure and their cohorts plan and execute. The scenario is that the dominant groups will always consider the stand, or approach; offensive, i.e ‘damage some group interests’ and will always call for a guillotine. But critical or truthful analysis are bound to have a critical ring.
These shock tactics amongst the Tiv people is as old as the legendary Takuruku. Quick to notice, is the reoccurring squabbles of siblings rivalry, between ‘the Eastern and Northern Tiv, refer to the Central and Southern Tiv as ‘Kparev ka uke’ (the kparev are non- Tiv) or Uindyor (those who are not wise) Kparev refer to the other Tiv as Akuraior (groups of people). Mark you,the Tiv family is divided structurally from the Apex position into two (2) groups viz. the Mbaipusu and Mbaichongu. The Mbaichongu house the MINDA segments and their brotherly/ sisterly: Turan, Ikyurav and Ugondo; the Mbaipusu are the shitile, Ukum, Kpar and Tongov. The name Kparev is most likely derogative, and is used in the description of all Mbaipusu siblings, which sometimes generate or shock tactics squabbles between them.
A practical scene to remember is the case of the political/sibling rivalry in 1954 of a petition written by some people (probably of Mbaipusu) ‘against the Deputy Tor Tivship of Gondu Aluor.’ And again in 1959, Tiv members of parliament- Akurasham Samuel Atum, Edwin Tashaku Orodi, Peter Tarkende, Vincent Orjime, Tyoshom Shirsha (all from Mbachongu) cross-carpeted from the United Middle Belt Congress (UMBC) to the Northern Peoples Congress (NPC). Their reason was that ‘kparev mba lahan Gondu’ (the people of Central and Southern Tiv are disrespectful of second Tor Tiv (Gondu Aluor)
Since then, a cat and mouse game was entrenched between the Kparev (Uindyor) and Mbaichongu (Akuraior) especially in party politics. As has been demonstrated in the political arena of the First Republic till date, these political differences find their course. For example, when the Mbachongu (Akuraior) were predominantly in NPC, the Mbaipusu were predominantly in UMBC. These constant squabbles of siblings rivalry made J.S Tarka to install a siren automobile device in his motor car seen and heard everywhere in Tiv land which sounded as: Pam ti pam pam, repeatedly any time the vehicle was approaching crowds of people, which was presumably interpreted as ‘Tor Tiv ngu ga’, meaning there is no Tor Tiv in Tiv land. This charismatic Tiv politician J.S. Tarka was as a result of this rivalry, hounded out of the Tiv Native Authority (NA) Tarka’s debut into politics identified this dichotomy and soon Tiv land was polarized, came to be represented by two warring leaders- the Tor Tiv Gondu Aluor (Mbaichongu an NPC stalwart) on the one hand, Joseph Tarka ( of Mbaipusu i.e. Kparev, an UMBC chieftain) on the other hand. The rest is history of the Tiv riot of the 1960. Then in the Second Republic, the Mbachongu (Akuraior) joined the Nigeria Peoples Party (NPP), while the Kparev (Uindyor) were mostly in the National Party of Nigeria (NPN). And in the Third Republic the Mbachongu, became members of All Peoples Party (APP) and the Kparev (Mbaipusu) were in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Today, what we have is that Mbachongu (MINDA and siblings) are in the (PDP) and the Mbaipusu are in the (APC). This cancerous congenital malady shall continue to hunt the two opposing siblings in the game of politics. The ‘Mdzou u Tiv’ which is a big voice, an umbrella of the Tiv people, a symbol of unity sometimes is incapacitated in addressing issues that concern them. The body can only operate properly when there is an external aggression against the brotherhood. Even the operational sharing formula of ‘Ya na anbian’ cannot be said to be symbiotically visible or feasible as it is often abused. The case of AB, and C formula in Guma Local Government Area, is a pointer. It is now, ‘Double ya na angbian’, that is even within, ‘them’, ‘them,’ if I will be allowed to speak common Nigeria English Language.
In fact, the shock tactics started way back in the days of the operation surrender the articles of witchcraft (HAAKAA) for destruction. Then came the NYIAMBYUAN operation a cult, facilitated by the ‘Ijov’ ‘Hoyo’, ‘Ivase’, and ‘Bundeli’ movements. There were these political clashes of interest between the Action Group (AG)- United Middle Belt Congress (UMBC) against the Northern People Congress (NPC) in particular. It was so fierce and pugnacious as existence in Tiv land was profaned, conspicuously engineered by ‘Nande’- burning of houses and in the finality the dreaded ‘Atem Tyough’,- Beheading, cult movements. All these were astound tidal waves that shocked and shook the entire Tiv land of the early 1960 before the military takeover in 1966.
Today the Tiv land is witnessing a new wave of truculence, skirmishes, feuds in both inter and intra clannish clashes, and by extension with their neighbors. I stand to be proved wrong if these historical facts are mere traduce. These unethical behaviors even manifest in bureaucracy and governance. There is always this cry of marginalization by the Tiv people vis-à-vis other tribes in Benue State. Not to talk of the sadistically exclusion of Jukun tribe in the list of apparent hiers, to the seat, in the Benue Peoples House. Whereas in Taraba, Nasarawa, and even Cross-Rivers States, Tiv sons and daughters are breathing and breeding well, in appointments, politically and administratively. Today, the highest political appointment given to a Jukun man, is an SSA, of which even the Ihyarev and the Nongov are not pleased with it.
Believe it or not, the myopic, refresh that muzzy head and be constant with the happenings around you. Take a lesson and learn more about- “The Second Coming”, a poem by W.B. Yeasts, you will then know that you are in a fix, you are in a dilemma and you must grope for the exit route or be consumed and doomed forever by the crafty maneuver and manipulation of constant shock tactics of MINDA people and those of other lineal descendants of Tiv people of Benue State. The Jukun of Benue State and the entire Kwararafa people must all rise up and hearken to this voice that is crying in the wilderness, a clarion call for rediscovery and inclusiveness in the scheme of things as a people wherever we are.
God save Nigeria
God save Benue State
God protect and save all genuine freedom fighters, worldwide.
