25/05/2026
*Idoma Will No Longer Kneel: End Tiv Tyranny, End Second-Class Citizenship in Benue*
_By YS Ehoda-Adi_
*1.*
The inequality gap in Benue is obscene. Gross inequity. Gross unfairness. Gross injustice. Idoma are treated as second-class citizens in the state our ancestors helped build. This is not democracy. This is Tiv domination dressed as democracy. The agitation starts now.
*2.*
For 50 years, Tiv have shared the state governorship with military governors and never once conceded space to Idoma. Even under military rule, a Tiv son was appointed to run Benue. Democracy returned, and the exclusion continued. Tiv ride roughshod over Idoma with impunity. They run government business as if Benue is the Tiv fiefdom. Appointments, projects, contracts, security decisions are skewed against Idoma most deliberately. Total exclusion is the policy.
*3.*
Look at the evidence. Benue was created in February 1976. Since then, five elected civilian governors. All Tiv. Aper Aku. Moses Adasu. George Akume. Gabriel Suswam. Samuel Ortom. Now Hyacinth Alia. Zero Idoma. Zero Igede. In 50 years, Zone C has been locked out of Government House.
*4.*
This is not by accident. It is by design. The Tiv political machine calls it “turn by turn” but the turn never reaches Idoma. Wantaregh Paul Unongo confessed the quiet part: “The fear that an Idoma man would take everything if given the governor is making the Tiv hesitate.”
*5.*
Those 50 years are a mixture of military rule and democracy. For the major part, Tiv ruled. Even under military regimes, a Tiv man, Brigadier Atom Kpera, served as military governor of Benue. When civilians returned in 1979, it was Aper Aku, a Tiv man. From 1999 to date, every elected governor has been Tiv. So whether khaki or agbada, the seat stays with Tiv. Is that federal character? Is that justice?
*6.*
They hide behind the “tyranny of numbers.” Census figures in Nigeria are manufactured, contested, and fraudulent. Yet Tiv leaders weaponize these dubious numbers to claim 14 of 23 LGAs, 2 of 3 senators, 7 of 11 House seats, and 100% of elected governors since 1976.
*7.*
Break it down. Tiv Zones A and B have: Buruku, Gboko, Guma, Gwer East, Gwer West, Katsina-Ala, Konshisha, Kwande, Logo, Makurdi, Tarka, Ukum, Ushongo, Vandeikya. Idoma have 7: Ado, Agatu, Apa, Ogbadibo, Ohimini, Okpokwu, Otukpo. Igede have 2: Oju, Obi.
*8.*
Even by their contested census: 2006 figures say Zone A 1,513,660, Zone B 1,432,334, Zone C 1,307,647. Projected 2016: Zone A 2,043,200, Zone B 1,933,500, Zone C 1,764,900. Zone C is 30% of Benue. Yet we get 0% of governors, 33% of senators, 36% of Reps. That is not proportionality. That is robbery.
*9.*
The National Assembly tells the same story. Senate: Udende from Benue North-East, Titus Zam from Benue North-West, both Tiv. Only Abba Moro from Benue South. House: 7 Tiv, 4 Idoma-Igede. Key committees, key projects, key federal appointments flow to Tiv zones.
*10.*
State appointments are worse. Look at Secretary to State Government, Chief of Staff, Head of Service, Commissioner for Finance, Works, Justice, Local Government, Vice Chancellors, Board Chairmen. Total exclusion of Idoma from key appointive positions is the unwritten law.
*11.*
Air Vice Marshal Monday Morgan calls it “political isolation of Zone C.” Senator Abba Moro admits we need a rotational governorship bill just to taste power for the first time. Why should Idoma beg for rotation in a state we co-own? Why should equality require special legislation?
*12.*
This is impunity. This is misgovernance. Tiv leaders rotate power among five kindreds: Sankera, Jemgbagh, Jerchira, Kwande, and MINDA. In 2014 they had 18 aspirants from MINDA bloc alone. They organize to keep power. They expect Idoma to disorganize and kneel.
*13.*
Meanwhile, they mock Idoma unity. In 2022 PDP primary, Zone C delegates abandoned Benson Abounu, the only Idoma aspirant. Tiv celebrate when we defeat ourselves. They know a divided Idoma cannot challenge their monopoly. That era must end.
*14.*
Let us be clear: government exists for welfare and security of all citizens, not Tiv citizens only. When Idoma do not know this, we beg for boreholes and culverts as favors. When we know it, we make demands. Demands backed by 1.7 million people are not begging. They are orders.
*15.*
The ballot is the weapon. Politicians are not masters. They are servants. Every Idoma lawmaker who collects bribes to protect Tiv interest is a traitor. If you represent Otukpo but defend Makurdi, you will be recalled. If you win with Idoma votes but vote against Idoma, you will be retired.
*16.*
Tiv dominance survives because Idoma representatives disappear after elections. They reappear four years later with rice and wrappers. That is not representation. That is insult. The feedback loop is dead in Zone C. We must resurrect it with fire.
*17.*
How did Black Americans break second-class citizenship? Not by pleading. By agitation. The Black Church. Social Justice Movements. Sit-ins. Boycotts. Protests. They were jailed, beaten, killed. But they kept marching until America yielded. Rights are never donated. They are seized.
*18.*
Idoma must copy that template. Churches and mosques must preach political education. Cultural associations must fund candidates. Civil society must name, shame, and recall sellouts. We must put fire under government’s feet until it stops burning only Idoma.
*19.*
The Tiv political class has shown it will not yield voluntarily. No dominant group in history has. They speak of “detribalized Idoma” while they practice raw tribalism. They demand Idoma prove we won’t be clannish after they have been clannish for 50 years. Enough.
*20.*
I asked youths in my village: “Do you want to be governor?” They answered: “Tiv will not allow it.” I asked: “Are you inferior?” They said no. “Are you slaves?” They said no. Then stop acting like it. Start asking in every clan, every market, every church: “When will Idoma produce governor?”
*21.*
The Berom were once locked out in Plateau. They stopped begging. They treated governorship as an identity war. They organized, sacrificed, and took it. Idoma must declare the same war. The Och’Idoma, chiefs, generals, professors, traders, okada riders, farmers. Everybody.
*22.*
The weapon is simple: mobilize and organize to frontally challenge the impunity of Tiv in the misgovernance of the state. Word of mouth to every compound. Voter registration in every village. 90% turnout in every Zone C LGA. Nigeria respects numbers. Tiv respect only force.
*23.*
Demand proportional representation and participation now. Not tomorrow. 30% of population must mean 30% of commissioners, 30% of permanent secretaries, 30% of boards, 30% of projects. Anything less is continued slavery. We will no longer fund a government that erases us.
*24.*
The rotational governorship bill is a start, not the end. Bills do not pass by prayer. They pass by pressure. Zone C must speak with one voice: governor in 2027 or Benue will be ungovernable by exclusion. Equity is not negotiable. Justice is not negotiable.
*25.*
To Tiv leaders who say Idoma are not ready: we were ready in 1976, but you had the guns. We have been ready since 1999, but you rigged the system every cycle. To Idoma leaders who serve as House Negroes to Tiv masters: your time is up. The people are awake. The youths are angry. The silence is broken.
*26.*
This quest must be consistent, relentless, and total. Election cycle after election cycle, Idoma must field candidates, fund campaigns, protect votes, and reject fatigue. No retreat. No looking back. No surrender after one loss. The mobilization must be permanent and the organization must be total until victory is attained. Governorship is not a gift. It is a prize of political warfare.
*27.*
No group hands you power. You take it. You organize for it. You bleed for it if necessary. Idoma have kneeled for 50 years. We have been loyal, patient, and peaceful. Our reward is second-class citizenship. That contract is terminated.
*28.*
This is the agitation. This is the red line. End Tiv tyranny. End total exclusion. End gross inequity. Proportional representation in all organs of state. Governorship for Zone C. Respect for Idoma personhood. We choose sunlight. We reject shadows. The urgency is now. Please share this post fast.
