Ikima emerges As New Ter Kwande

Mr Hilary Ityosula Ikima, former Sole Administrator and  seasoned Permanent Secretary has emerged as the new Ter Kwande to replace James Ityowua Adzape who died last year. Ikima defeated Tyoor Usar, Tivlumun Ako, Mr Amokaha Adikpo and Dr EC Ayangeor to clinch the Ter Kwande stool in a tough contested battle on 29th February, 2012 at the Kwande Local Government Secretariat.

Manz Denga Sets to unite all Tiv People in Lagos

By Iorliam'Amo Shija

Mr Manasseh Denga has promised to unite all Tiv people living in Lagos in one umbrella body .Mr Denga made this known on Tuesday, 28^th February, 2012 at Edge Waters, Victoria Island, when Mr. Mfedoo Ichull and other friends hosted him to a dinner.

Speaking earlier, Mr Patrick Abe had raised an alarm that, though there were so many Tiv people of all works in Lagos, they had chosen to congregate in factions.  Consequently of which progress and development among Tiv in Lagos was being retarded.  

Other speakers at the event also spoke in the same vein.

Responding, Mr Denga noted that he was honoured for the dinner. He revealed that in the past, they made sure that Tiv people in Lagos were gathering regularly. That moreso, when a Tivman or woman was promoted or appointed in a strategic position, they made sure that they held a reception to celebrate them.

He therefore said even though he was out of the country at the moment, he would make sure that he comes around specifically for the sake of the unification of   all the factional groups in Lagos into one big Tiv group.

The dinner was well attended by friends and associates of Manz Denga and Mfedoo Ichull from Lagos ,Portharcourt and Abuja.

SAOBA Makurdi Holds branch Meeting

25th February, 2012, St Andrews  Adikpo, Old boys association (SAOBA) Makurdi Branch held there monthly meeting at St Joseph Parish, Akpehe, Markurdi, Benue state. Among the issues that received top priority at the the meeting were SAOBA National convention billed to hold at Adikpo on 10th March 2012. KSN was on ground and brings you these pix.

Hon. SG Kwaghbulah and Victor Hembah dance with Anger dancers recently

ASH WEDNESDAY AT ST MONICAS ADIKPO

R

The Ijor Mbakur dancer and a Judge at Adikpo

IRRIGATION WORK IN MBAWER RECENTLY

A local Guitar man at a Tse Ikpato Buruku Bar

ange dancers from Shangev

But what can Manz Denga do for Kwande?

By Iorliam'Amo Shija

Mr Manasseh Denga, popularly known Manz Denga has a name and personality that go far ahead of him. More to it, his good will and generosity do not respect any stringent rules of “I don’t know him so I can’t give him any thing” or “where is he from? Iam not from his village so he can’t get anything”. When moved by his beliefs, I think, this Denga does his goodwill. He does it selflessly too. He is not a man who puts superfluous excuses as deterrents, whatsoever, when he wishes to do good.

Iam not a flatterer so when I write so highly of Denga, I should not be mistaken or taken out of proportion. Iam just talking from my “personal encounter” with Manz Denga and re-expressing what others, who like me, have witnessed or directly benefited of his charity. People who have met him and appreciative enough to say it; I am being their mouth piece.

Like most of other important people I have known in my life, I came  to “know” Manz through my friend, Tersoo Akula. This is as recent as 2006. At that time, Akula, I and others,  were  planning for a Kwande Youth Summit tagged “where do we go from here”- remember this was just a year after the Kwande Crisis which had crippled us, instil fear in our minds and made us to disregard our unity and common wealth: that period  was,  and will ever remain, a dark age in the history of Kwande. It called for novel ways of reconstituting our society and many people had responded to the call. Manz Denga was one of those who responded to the call. Our own aspect of intervention was bankrolled by Denga from far away Uganda or Kenya.

But it is not until recently when I joined Ate-U-Tiv and Ate online Yahoogroups, online platforms which Manz Denga is also a member that I realized as a fact, what a son Kwande has in Manz Denga. He is not only a Banker cum administrative colossus, but a well respected man whose take on issues translate into an instant authority. He is one of the few that no Tiv man in any part of the world can accuse of jealousy or any of such petty accusations that bedevil most Tiv men of Manz’s standing.

So when I heard that he would be honoured or a reception was going to be organised in his honour by friends, I thought it necessary to write this piece. I thought the piece crucial for two reasons and wanted to achieve at least one significant thing with it. What are the two crucial reasons for the discourse? Firstly, Manz Denga seldom visits the village. So I wanted to make the most of this visit, to use it  to pass across to him a message that he might have missed due to so many years of being away from home. Secondly, I wanted to tell him that he is appreciative by people. I wanted him to know that he is sincerely praised and prayed for by all men of goodwill. I wanted him to also know that he is a role model. One which a whole generation of Kwande youths, Tiv youths were looking at. I wanted him to know that he has over the years, successfully positioned himself as a face of hope for all Kwande youths. And he would have to work consciously of that calling.

Those were the two reasons that motivated me to write this piece, but what did I want to achieve? I wanted to invite Denga to a reasoning pool.A river where I would not be afraid to ask him a question. I wanted him to ponder over the question that I asked as he left the pool. The question that is likely to becloud his highly achievements; at home and abroad-I was surprised to ask him the question, because I thought, someone would question my essence, but Manz’s simplicity  made me asked him the question, “Manz Denga, you are a banker of international repute, but why is it that Adikpo, does not have a bank whatsoever?”

In the end, that is but what Manz Denga must do for Kwande.      

Battle for the Next Ter Kwande: The Conspiracies, The Intrigues

By Iorliam’Amo Shija

The battle for the next Ter Kwande to replace Late James Ityowua Adzape, who died in December, 2010 is in top gear. KSN investigation reveals that as at last count, no fewer than 13 people have shown interest or are rumoured to be interested in the top Traditional job in Kwande.

A source close to the Acting Ter Kwande, Tyoor Yalu Agbo has told KSN that the following are in the race for the Ter Kwande,Tyoor D I Chula (Mbayoo), Tyoor Tivlumun Ako(Usar), Dr EC Ayangeor(Mbakyaan),Hilary Ikima(Mbaiwen),Msom Tion(Mbanienge),Achagh Ihuma(Mbahav),Toor Sue(Mbarumun), Pever Ge(Mbayoo),Amokaha Adikpo(Mbayoo),Steven Adzege,(Mbayoo), Prof Ahire Sambe(Mbayoo), Pator Abura Tsegba, and  P I Achaa.

  Although each of the above is qualified to occupy the stool, yet so far, the contest is rumoured to be marred by conspiracies and is becoming intriguing by the day. At the backdrop of these conspiracies is the desire of other contestants to outwit others by all means. For in the bid to actualize their Ter Kwande dreams, many of the candidates are said to have retorted to lies, mudslinging, bribe, the use of their political might and connections at the Tor Tiv palace to achieve their aim.

Perhaps the chief conspiratory issue is the seeming confusion over where the Ter Kwande is supposed to come from. In his address during the late  Ter Kwande’s burial in March 2010, HRM, Ochivirigh Dr A A Torkula, ToTiv 4, represented by Ter Ikyor, HRH Jam Gbinde hinted that the Ter Kwande was for “Usar and Nanev”.

Between Usar and Nanev are three traditional councils, Mbagba/ Mbakyaan, Mbayoo and Usar. KSN investigation shows that since the Tor Tiv did not specify the exact traditional council to produce the next Ter Kwande, almost every of these council wards are parading a candidate. And as the days go by, every candidate is parading his strengths and hoping to be favoured by the king makers.

For others it is,  to compel their ityo to endorse them out of so many candidates;  others are using cash and their political might, others parade experience, Education, goodwill and others too, are banking on zoning. All attempts by our reporters to make the contestants, District Heads (who form the Electoral College to choose the next Ter Kwande) and the Acting Ter Kwande to talk to KSN about how prepared they are for the contest, proved abortive.

But a source close to the Acting Ter Kwande told KSN on condition of anonymity that every candidate for the throne is made to pass through some security check with the requisite security agencies and that the Acting Ter is waiting ready to conduct the nomination process. Although another source has accused the Acting Ter Kwande of delaying the process to facilitate the emergence of the next Ter deliberately. “It is long overdue for another Ter Kwande to emerge”, the source said, “but the current Acting Ter Kwande thinks otherwise, so what do we say?

Meanwhile all is now set for the next Ter Kwande to emerge 29^th February, 2012. A source close to the Acting Ter Kwande told KSN .That the decision was reached on the 14^th February, 2012. It was was also concluded that the next Ter must come from “Nanev” comprising of the three traditional councils.  As a result, the contestants and Nanev  elders  are billed to hold a meeting between 18^th and 19^th February, to decide on the council which will produce the next Ter, and then the final selection takes place on the 29^th February, 2012, the source revealed to KSN. 

Ashongo blames Militia Activies in Kwande On Yachiga Akputu, Akperashi,Kwenbe

HON. AZUA ASHONGO (JP) writes from:OPPOSITE OWNER OCCUPIER ESTATE, ABU-KING SHULUWA ROAD, MAKURDI, BENUE STATE.



DR. (SEN) GEORGE AKUME,

SENATE MINORITY LEADER,

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, ABUJA.



AND

THE PUBLIC

MILITIA ACTIVITY IN KWANDE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

It has become necessary for me to write and explain about my humble self as a person and certain mis-happenings in Kwande Local Government and to apologise to the good people of Kwande Local Government, Sen (Dr.) George Akume (Senate Minority Leader) and the public.

I am Hon.Azua Avough Ashongo (JP) highly respected, outspoken and courageous son of Mbakan, Tondov II Council Ward, Shangev-ya, Kwande Local Government Area of Benue state. Born to the parentage of Pa, Avough Ashongo and his wife, Mrs. Mary Avough Ashongo (both of blessed memory).

I had my primary school education at N.K.S.T Primary School, Hingir then R.C.M Primary School, Sankera, Ukum Local Government and back to N.K.S.T Primary School, Hingir, Mbakan, Kwande Local Government Area before proceeding to People’s Comprehensive High School, Lessel and obtained six (6) credits (not forged and can be tendered). The quest for further studies prompted me to enrol for a Diploma Programme in Accounting with Benue State University (BSU), Makurdi where I obtained a Diploma in Accounting (Upper Credit, which can also be tendered). Again, I enrolled for a degree programme with the same BSU, Makurdi, from where I came out with a B.Sc. (Hons.) Accounting (Second Class Lower Division, which can be voluntarily tendered, without asking you to go to BSU to find out). I am happily married with five children and a practicing communicant.

I cut my political teeth as early as 1990 when the good people of Tondov Ward (now Tondov I and Tondov II Ward) overwhelmingly elected me as councillor representing Tondov Ward on the platform of SDP. I remain the most memorable councillor in the history of Tondov Ward and my name has become a house-hold name in Tondov and Shangev-ya as a whole.

I was appointed Supervisory Councillor for Education in 1991 and as a result of my exemplary leadership qualities, I was elected as Leader of Kwande legislative Council from 1992 to 1993, when the military again truncated the country’s nascent democracy. But as soon as the military sounded a new bell of democracy in Nigeria, I woke up early and because of leadership qualities again, I was elected Chairman of the party U.N.C.P, Kwande Chapter. I joined PDP in 1999 and was also elected its State Treasurer from 2001 to 2002. It was while serving in this capacity that I was appointed as the Transition Committee Chairman for Kwande Local Government Council from 30th May, 2002 to 8th Aug, 2003, under the administration of His Excellency, Dr. George Akume Dajo (the man who stopped third term agenda in Nigeria and indeed, he is a hero), and in 2005, I was one of the elected National Delegates to the PDP National Convention after my tenure as chairman of the council.

However, following the controversial circumstances that led to my disgraceful political exclusion engineered by some self-seeking PDP stewards who were bent on bringing me down at all cost, I tactfully shifted my loyalty to the new famous and dreaded Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), more popularly called “The Broom”. Due to my past record, the entire good people of both Tondov I and Tondov II joined the party, I became a well respected and recognized elder of ACN in Kwande and Benue, having supported and tirelessly worked towards “Ishor Chenji” in Benue state.

MY ENVIABLE PAST RECORD

My contribution to the development of Tondov ward and Kwande Local Government Area as an elected councillor under the SDP from 1991 to 1993.

I was the first Tondov person who constructed bridges/culverts using iron and cement in Tondov ward. Just to mention but a few:

1. Constructed a bridge at River Uchua, River Atesen and Anaha in Tondov ward and constructed a bridge at River Dura Ombur in Mbaketsa ward;

2. Constructed 11 culverts along Ajio through Koti to Iyon Road;

3. Constructed a two classroom block at NKST Primary School Hingir Mbakan, Shangev-ya;

4. Employed 42 persons from Tondov ward into local government council. Just to mention but a few; Ule Deade, Michael Akpera, Tondo and others;

The things mentioned above (1-4) are physically be ascertained, not Radio Benue Projects.

AS A STATE TREASURER OF PDP, BENUE STATE

1. Bought clothes, rolls of wrappers and cows worth over N700, 000 and distributed free-of-charge to the good people of Shangev-ya. The occasion was witnessed by Hon. Orya Korinjo, then Special Advisor to His Excellency, Dr. George Akume;

2. Gave free medical assistance of N250, 000 to Mrs. Mnena Ungwaga.

AS A CARE-TAKER CHAIRMAN, KWANDE LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL:

1. Re-constructed the bridge across River Uchua;

2. Built a new market in Adikpo and allocated stores to traders;

3. Gave money for the construction of a clinic at Gbe, Nanev, to Terkula Azua (contractor, records with K.L.G.C);

4. Gave money for the construction of a Council Hall at Adagi to Mr. Agbaanyi (contractor, records with K.L.G.C);

5. Built and allocated stores to Chief Gbenda Ukera, Hon. Gbaior Atser and others at Jato-Aka Market;

6. Employed 190 new staff for local government, a feat that no one did since the creation of local governments in Nigeria.

7. I introduced the appointment of Special Advisors to the Chairman and appointed Toryila Gbangban (who was in ANPP) as my Special Advisor on Politics and Other Matters;

8. Introduced the new standard bags and ‘mudu’ for the measuring of commodities to the gain of local sellers (farmers);

9. Prompt and regular payment of workers’ monthly salaries/wages;

10. Bought twenty (20) motor-cycles and distributed free-of-charge to the deserving people of Kwande Local Government namely; Terzungwe Usor, Abanyi Sugh, Aondowase Bigila and others;

11. During the sad and regrettable military invasion of Kwande , I did not only reach out to all families of the victims to condole them, but also gave some of the bereaved relations jobs to become bread winners and support their respective families. Even though these people were not in the same political party with me.

12. The first chairman to promptly order the payment of all entitlements of newly crowned Traditional Rulers in the local government and Benue state as a whole.

THE ORIGIN OF THE SLOGAN “IGBOR-IWA-ANYI”

I was a farmer and I am still a farmer till date. I suffered so much under the hands of Ibo/Hausa commodity merchants who normally use extra-large bags and ‘mudu’ to cheat farmers in Adikpo and Jato-Aka markets respectively. Sometimes, the Ibo/Hausa merchants will buy from the farmers without paying money on the spot (it is happening today). In most cases, farmers wait for their money from these merchants up to 12 mid-night and in turn the Ibo/Hausa merchants pay to the farmers less than what was the price. This practice went on and on and it got me worried. I was looking for an opportunity to stop that practice and as God may have it, I was appointed care-taker Chairman of Kwande Local Government Council. I then told myself, the opportunity has come, what do I do? I quickly met a barrister (Barr. Simon Gese, Esq.), who drafted a Bye-Law introducing the new standard bags ‘27’, ‘28’ and ‘mudu’ for the measurement of commodities to the advantage of local sellers and basically, on cash-and-carry basis.

This Bye-Law was signed into law by me and served to all the courts and security agents in the local government area and announcements were put on Radio Benue and in all the markets in the local government for a period of one month.

After that, I personally went to Adikpo, bought all “27” and “28” standard bags and ‘mudu’ and stamped and signed for the Ibo/Hausa merchants to be used in buying commodities.

This did not go down well with the Ibo/Hausa merchants and most of them were caught and fined.

And in the following Adikpo Market day, all the Ibos/Hausas who came to buy local commodities parked their big lorries out of the Adikpo Motor Park and went to Ushongo Market. Thereafter, sent a message to farmers (sellers) that unless they (sellers) asked me to park all my bags and ‘mudu’ out of the market, they (merchants) will not buy anything or they (sellers) should carry their commodities to Ushongo Market for the merchants to buy.

This news got to me when I was in the office and I quickly went to Adikpo Market where I met this situation. At this time, the sellers (farmers) were stranded. I then summoned all the farmers (sellers) in the Adikpo Market inside the motor park.

My revenue officer, Mr. T.T Ulaka, who gave to me all the prices of all the commodities in the market. I then topped N2, 500 each on all the commodities and also asked my treasurer and cashier of the Local Government to bring to the market the sum of Three Million Naira (N3, 000, 000.00) to buy all the commodities from farmers/sellers and kept so that the local government can in-turn sell to the Ibo/Hausa merchants at a controlled price and in the standard bags and ‘mudu’.

This action went down well with the farmers/sellers and this was a big plus to me because everybody present was extremely happy. At this point somebody shouted that any Ibo (referred in Tiv land as Iwa, just like the Hausas who call a Tiv man ‘munchi’) who refused to obey the order should be kicked out, using the slogan “I gbor Iwa (Ibo) Anyi”

This posture compelled hitherto recalcitrant merchants to comply with the new local government policy, thus saving farmers/sellers from the anguish and frustrations they were subjected to by the middlemen in the markets. Throughout my tenure, I was the person who was fixing prices for all the commodities in all the markets in Kwande Local Government Area.

Incidentally, while this action tamed the tide and was beneficial to the farmers who praised me till date, this slogan was directed to the Ibos (Iwa) resisting my orders is now being misconstrued in certain quarters. Some mischief makers and detractors (like all of you who wrote negatively against me) who are bent on smearing the long earned good name or destroying the political career of my very self have been wrongly and mischievously quoting this slogan in political circles and anti-people connotation, contrary to what this had meant.

The slogan “Igbor-Iwa-Anyi” became popular when Tersugh Yachiga and John Akperashi militia borrowed this slogan and was using to destroy houses in Adikpo and Jato-Aka, using the slogan “Ashongo Kaa Er Nyi? Igbor-Iwa-Anyi” My house, Chief Ason Bur, Amokaha Adikpo and other houses were burnt and destroyed by Tersugh Yachiga/John Akperashi’s militia using this slogan.



AS A MEMBER OF ACN

I have love for my people and as someone who is always looking for peace and progress of Kwande, when ACN members were to host Prof. Steve Ugba and Dr. (Sen.) George Akume in Shangev-ya, miscreants sponsored by Terlumun Akputu and PDP, brandishing machine guns and other dangerous weapons, destroyed and even burnt down Prof. Ugba’s billboards and portrait at Adikpo with further threats to disrupt the event at Shangev-ya , and on the following day 12th Feb, 2011, I quickly mobilized the youth and women who marched to the police station, acting Ter Kwande and round all the major streets of Adikpo in protest calling on all the good people of Kwande to remain calm and the ACN Youth not to take laws into their hands. The outcome of this was a successful outing of the ACN in Shangev-ya without hitches.

THE ORIGIN OF MILITIA IN KWANDE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA LED BY YACHIGA AND AKPERASHI (ANPP 2000-2005, PDP 2005-2011)

Sometime in year 2000, the Turan community had a problem with the Jukun in Takum, Taraba state. In preparation for a counter-attack, they contributed money and bought some sophisticated weapons and hired militia ready for action and the chairman of this arrangement was Tersugh Yachiga. Although this did not happen, Tersugh Yachiga, who all along had a high ambition for chairmanship and had decided to use this sophisticated weapons and maintained the militia for the local government election. The head of the militia was given some training by giving what is called in Tiv as “Gber Kpugh”. It was at this juncture that Hon. Samuel Akende hired five militia and camped them at his hotel in Achia who finally went and killed the head of the militia in Jato-Aka, without my knowledge as the local government chairman. In a reaction to this attack, Yachiga’s militia then killed the five militia and went ahead and burnt down 18 houses belonging to members of the PDP in Jato-Aka. This was accordingly reported to the Commissioner of Police through my Security Officer, Mr. Cornelius Kor.

This singular act ushered in militia activities in the Local Government Area. At this moment, Tersugh Yachiga and John Akeprashi joined together and took over the local government with militia activities, such as harassment, disturbing, killing and destruction of properties. Examples are: (a) The following houses were burnt down;

1. Ashongo house, Chief Ason Bur house, Amokaha House, Chief Ashar Igungu house, Terkula Pever hotel, Helen Agbem restaurant, John Pever house, Chief D.I Chula house, Sughnen house and others in Adikpo town in the year 2003. The above destructions were perpetrated by John Akperashi (a comprehensive report to this effect was written to the Commissioner of Police/Govt of Benue state in 2003 by Chief Ason Bur/Ashongo and others);

2. Mr. Jonathan I. Ichaver was abducted by John Akperashi led militia;

3. Militia/ANPP thugs attacked Army who were on election duty and the result was the killing of about nine (9) persons by the Army;

4. Militia killed seven (7) persons namely; Iorshe Nyam, Mr. Igba, Omotopho and others at the PDP Secretariat Adikpo;

5. Ter Kwande II HRH James Adzape’s house was burnt down and the INEC office in Adikpo was also burnt down by Tersugh Yachiga and John Akperashi led militia;

6. The following people’s houses were also burnt down by Tersugh Yachiga and John Akperashi led militia: (a) Philip Igba, Mswuan Ikyor, Chairlady, Gbaior Atser, Orya Korinjo and others in Jato-Aka

All the above activities were carried out by the militia during my tenure, my house was burnt down at the time I had everything at my disposal (power and money) but I did not hire or recruit thugs/militia to destroy any property in the local government. Can anyone of you mention any instance where Ashongo’s militia/thugs killed, destroyed or burnt down any house in Adikpo or Jato-Aka, from 30th May, 2002 to 8th Aug, 2003?

This was the time His Excellency, Dr. George Akume was looking for re-election, he (Akume) did not sponsor any militia for his re-election, how can he then have sponsored militia in Kwande local government after he (Akume) had won his election?

THE ORIGIN OF MILITIA LED BY AKPUTU AND COL. KWEMBE (RTD.)-PDP 2004-2011

In the same vein, Terlumun Akputu and Col. Kwembe (Rtd) had a very tall ambition for the chairman and senate respectively and they felt that if they allow Yachiga and Akperashi to continue with their militia activities, they will not achieve their aims, therefore they decided to team-up and hire /recruit militia and camped them in Col. Kwembe’s house in Mbawer. When this was happening, Dr. George Akume was in Germany for treatment. On Adikpo Market day, when myself and other PDP stakeholders were holding a meeting at Banquette Hall of Benue Hotel Makurdi, Akputu and Kwembe’s militia invaded Adikpo town and killed Mr. Asham Peter. When the news got to us, we were all surprised until when I got home and asked Akputu and Kwembe, they told me that they were the ones who brought the militia.

This action did not go down with Barr. V.T Uji, Hon. Charles Mary Avul, Chief Emmanuel Viashima, Hon. Imoter Nungwa and my humble self, we went straight to Shangev-ya and held a meeting, dissociating ourselves from that militia activity and discouraged PDP youth not to be part of that militia.

Akputu and Kwembe militia destroyed the following houses belonging to the following persons namely;

1. Mr. Yaakwan house (led to his death), Asham Peter house (led to his death), Iyulun Hotel(led to his death), Col. Viashima house, VIP Guest House (led to Mbaparev’s death), Tsavnande Tarnongo Nite Club/Film Hall and others in Adikpo;

2. Unongo village, Tse-Kwaghginse was completely burnt down;

3. Juladaco Hotel in Jato-Aka was completely burnt down;

4. Tersugh Yachiga house was burnt down.

These are the people the society respect today, upon all the above destruction, Terlumun Akputu is “The Asor Tar U Kwande”, while Col. Kwembe is “Ivaan Ayange I- Kwande” and John Akperashi is “Ikpamkor I Kwande” which were given to them by late Ter Kwande II and Kwande Traditional Council. In recognition of “The Destruction of Kwande Land”

This is our society today. Those of you who wrote negatively about me, what can you write about the above mentioned names? Why can’t you tell Akputu to use his militia to force Suswam to produce his certificate? The slogan “I Gbor Iwa (Ibo) Anyi” brought peace and progress.

MY APOLOGY TO THE GOOD PEOPLE OF KWANDE, DR. (SEN.) GEORGE AKUME (SENATE MINORITY LEADER) AND THE PUBLIC

I want to sincerely, from the bottom of my heart apologise to Sen. (Dr.) George Akume that I personally took Terlumun Akputu to Dr. (Sen) George Akume to convert Akputu’s dismissal from Benue state government to retirement, which he did. I am very sorry sir.

I also want to say that when Terlumun Akputu was looking for chairmanship, Late Chief Asom Bur (may his soul rest in perfect peace Amen), J.I Ichaver, Barr. V.T Uji, Charles-Mary Avul, Amokaha Adikpo, Orya Korinjo, Emmanuel Viashima, Imoter Nungwa and all the members of PDP Kwande Chapter rejected him (Akputu). I personally convinced them to accept Akputu and they finally did. I did not stop at that, my political father and mentor, Wantaregh Paul Unongo sponsored Hon. Bem Tseen for chairmanship under PDP and during the PDP primaries, I personally worked against Unongo and gave to Akputu 67 delegates which earned him victory over Bem Tseen. I want to apologise to Hon. Bem Tseen, Wantaregh Paul Unongo and to the people of Kwande, especially the Holy Trinity Parish, Dagba, that I thought that Terlumun Akputu will be a change person. Please, forgive me.

I demand an answer to the following questions by the public/Akputu:

1. You said Dr. (Sen) George Akume destroyed Kwande in 2004 using militia after he had won his election in 2003:

2. Questions: (a) Why didn’t Akume use militia in Kwande when he was seeking for his re-election in 2003?

(b) If Akume was the financier of the militia in Kwande at that time, who is then financing the militia in Kwande today?

(c) Tell me why Akume’s militia will destroy a billboard belonging to Prof. Steve Ugba and also disrupted a thanksgiving Mass organised by Holy Trinity Parish, Dagba for himself (Akume) and Prof. Steve Ugba;

(d) Tell me where, when and why I Hon. Azua Avough Ashongo used the slogan “I Gbor Iwa Anyi” to destroy, kill and burn down houses in Kwande Local Government as a whole? From 30th May, 2002 – 8th Aug., 2003

(e) Tell me any instance and probably mention names of militia or thugs I had used to destroy Kwande Local Government. This covered the period from the day I joined active politics till-date that is, from 1989 to 2011.

(g) Tell me the reasons why Dr. G.T Suswam is very close to the following persons: Akputu (who was unable to cast his vote for him during April poll), Akperashi, B.I Kwembe, (Rtd) and Yachiga.

(h) Tell me why Suswam should continue as governor when he has no certificate to show.

(i) Tell me why Suswam has approved a N200, 000, 000.00 loan for the completion of a secretariat instead of releasing the money for VAT of N592, 243, 077.09, meant for projects. Source: Fed. Min. of Finance, Abuja.

(j) Who rehabilitated the road from Adikpo to Jato-Aka. Is it Kwande L.G or Benue state govt? If it is Benue state govt, what has happened to our VAT, Excess Crude and Statutory allocation of N5, 218, 831, 215.35 accrued to Kwande L.G from 2008-2010, when 4 months staff salary is still owed the staff of the L.G? (take it that N3, 000, 000, 000.00 is for staff salary for 3 years, which is not in this case, then what about N2, 218, 831, 215.35). Source: Fed. Min. of Finance, Abuja.

(k) Tell me why the people of Kwande should give their support to Suswam more than Akume;

(l) Akputu: Tell me why you hate Dr. Akume who had prepared you for the chairman by converting your dismissal to retirement, appointed you Secretary to Kwande L.G.C and directing J.I Ichaver. V.T Uji, Charles-Mary Avul, Emmanuel Viashima, Imoter Nungwa, Ashongo and others to make sure that you won the L.G Chairmanship election. Haba! Are you insane? There is a Psychiatric Unit in Mkd.

If answers to the above questions are not provided by you (mischief makers and detractors), who wrote negatively against me on ATE-U-TIV, I therefore demand an apology from you.



MY ADVICE TO MEMBERS OF ATE-U-TIV, MEDIA AND THE NATION

May I advice that any information you are posting on the Ate-U-Tiv should be first-hand information to avoid miscarriage of information.

May I use this opportunity to advise the “Tiv Nation” and Nigeria as a whole. There are two words that have destroyed the “Tiv Nation and Nigeria at large. And the words are “Money”, and “Power”. ‘Money’ and “Power” has eaten deeply into our hearts, and with Money and Power in Tiv land and Nigeria as a whole you can kill, destroy, Rig elections, disrupt church activities, turn traditional rulers as your own wives, with money and power, you can shout down the almighty “Arewa Consultative Forum” and separate the whole north, all former presidents/elders will be come your boys, you can even tie Tiv and Nigeria at large with a tiny thread and pull them to any direction without any hindrance because almost every Nigerian wants to become a millionaire by all cost at the expense of others. You may not have respect for the constitution of Nigeria request for the transfer of commissioner of police, DPO and Judges and you cannot even show your certificate and nothing will be done. If not money, power and rigging, who in Benue State will vote Chief B.I. Gemade and Hon. David Mark as Senators over Chief Akaagerger J.I. (Phd) and Chief Lawrence Onoja? And above all G. T Suswam over Prof. Ugba? The answer is “No”

If really we want the Tiv Nation and Nigeria as a whole to be the “Tiv Nation” and “Nigeria” we use to know, we “Must” remove the word “Money” and “Power” and replace it with the word “Truth”. If the word “Truth” is been taken the place of “Money” and “Power”. In our hearts and become deepen, then “Truth” can do the following for Tiv and Nigeria at large.

1. No giving and no accepting of bribe

2. No corruption

3. All security Agents will do their jobs correctly

4. No Rigging of elections (Prof. A. Jiga, you will have nothing to be worried about).

5. You will show certificate when ask to do so.

6. There will dividends of democracy.

7. The right thing will be done.

8. Court will hear forgery cases and give verdict.

9. There will be employment.

10. There will be no need for the removal of “fuel subsidy”. The question is: what would be the effect of this removal of fuel subsidy on a common man? Is the little money we have, being channelled properly? If the answer is “No”, then how are we sure that the money from the fuel subsidy will be channelled properly?

11. There will be no need to fight Boko Haram and others with the sum of N10 Billion gadgets, because, as it is now, those gadgets are not going to take actions themselves, is the same Nigerians who will use them. With the word ‘TRUTH’ dismiss 10-50 police men and women who are found wanting or accepting bribe. Then the security issue will be a ‘thing of the past. To me, I view it as a way/avenue of routing/chopping our N10 b.

12. Above all, there will be “Love” for one another.

How can you “Re-Brand” Nigeria with the word money and power deeply in our hearts. This will be like, you put on ‘Baban Riga’ (agbada) but inside you did not wear a pant. If you seat down, someone can see your private part. And our inside “must” be the ‘Truth”, then Nigeria will wear a new face. On this note, let me salute the courage of the following distinguished Nigerians who have embraced and “Re-brand” Nigeria with the word “Truth”.

1. Dr. (Sen) George Akume (Senate Minority Leader) who stood firm and defended democracy (third term)

2. Dr. (Sen) Iorchia Ayu (former senate president) who refused to accept the seat of President. (June 12) can any senate President do this today?

3. Hon. Salisu Buhari (Former Speaker House of Reps Abuja) who voluntarily resigned on the issue of forgery. Can any Governor do this today?

4. Prof. A Jiga (INEC) Abuja, Has done a free fair and credible elections.

5. Barr. Farida Mzamber Waziri (former EFCC chairman) we know, you stood for the “Truth”.

6. Dahiru Musdapher (CJN); The Judicial is the only ‘Hope’ for a common man and you have proved to all Nigerians that, that is true.

That all election petitions and other legal cases be determined on merits and quickly too. God will bless all of you Amen. And as for me, I would rather die for telling the truth than to live to tell a lie.

On the other hand, the following self seeking politicians have ‘Re-Brand” Nigeria with the words “Money” and “Power”.

Namely:

1. Rt. Hon. (Sen) David Mark (Senate President) Third term. Yes! Yar-Adua is sick, Swear in New President. Yes! 8 years as a senator plus 4½ years as a president of the senate, No federal project in Benue state. Jonathan must stay” as against PDP zoning. Yes!, Removal of fuel subsidy, Yes!

2. Chief (Sen) B.I Gemade (Former CNC National Chairman). Was a co-ordinator for a Presidential candidate of UNCP. “Abacha Must Stay” As a former minister, former National Chairman CNC and Former PDP National Chairman, What do you have to show, if you are for the people. “Jonathan must stay” as against PDP zoning Yes! Removal of fuel subsidy. Yes! Military Invasion of Zaki-Biam, Excellence, “Tiv mba ze iyol yum”

3. Rt. Hon. (Dr). Gabriel T. Suswam (Executive Governor of Benue State). Show your certificate, Hired five SAN “I will not show” – See the case of Buhari. “Jonathan must stay” as against PDP zoning Yes! Removal of fuel subsidy Yes! Can not show certificate, but desperate for power,

Certificate forgery (Kharki’s case) 21 adjournments and 3 transfers, for a period of 9 months. Even if you kill me I will not show. This reminds me of President Obasanjo warning to people of Benue State that you are moving a small thief to a bigger thief.

4. Traditional Rulers (Benue state): All of them have joined politics. If a chairman of a local government disrupt church activities no reaction from the traditional rulers.

If you are not self seeking Politicians/Traditional Rulers or not looking for money for yourselves and families or desperate for power, when are you going to say “No” to a situation or speak for the good of your people? The Truth is always bitter but must be told. If you want to kill me, you are free to do so I will go to Heaven.

You detractors, are you not aware of the above characters? What did you do? Tell me, these are the people you worship. Is this how we will re-brand Nigeria? Let me reiterate that if we are fully committed to changing / Re-brand Nigeria for the better we must take the issue of Truth as a policy at the back of our minds to make vision 2020 a reality. Nigeria has more than enough, only greed is destroying this country called Nigeria.



On the issue of security in Nigeria, the NTA and Radio announcement make no meaning to me, because, if you report to the police, who will do the arrest. Let me give you some examples:

(a) Benue State Security Council has declared Tersugh Yachiga “WANTED” in 2004 and the man is living in Jato-Aka where there is a police station. No arrest till date.

(b) Cases of political violence has been reported severally to the police against Terlumun Akputu especially the recent one at Dagba. No arrest made.

(c) Terlumun Akputu has camped militia in his residence Tse-Akputu in Adikpo for all these year and all DPOs, SSS, Police, other security Agents, Traditional rulers and the public knows. Report has been made no arrest.

(d) Late Charles Ayede, was brutally murder by some armed men around Lafia – Makurdi road, I personally reported to the police headquarters Makurdi and demanded for some police to accompany me to remove the dead body which they (police) refused and the next day went and arrested Charles Ayede’s 14 year old young brother and detained in the police Head Quarters Abuja. No arrest of the culprits has been made till date. With this at the back of my mind, I will not report to the police because if I do nothing will happen to the person rather the person will use his or her money to arrest or kill me and nothing will happen. Do you mean, police, SSS, and other security agents do not know the bad people? Are they living in Heaven? Are they not passing on our roads? Are police not on the road blocks? Are they not our neighbours? Are police, SSS, and other security agents not our neighbours? Please and please, Nigerians, let us stop deceiving ourselves and leave the issue of “Money” and “Re-Brand” Nigeria with the word “Truth” in our Hearts. Then Nigeria will become “One Nation” We have more than enough in this country call Nigeria.





Finally, I want to advice the good people of Nigeria that, if really we want a change in Nigeria, we must ignore the issue of accepting money during elections and elect in honest and credible candidates in all elections.

SUGGESTIONS

To end the militia activities in Kwande Local Government, you must catch the bull by the horns. Four (4) persons are keeping militia in Kwande Local Government and the police, other security agencies and the entire Kwande community know them. They are: Chief Terlumun Akputu, Chief John Akperashi, Hon. Tersugh Yachiga and Col. Basil Kwembe (Rtd).

1. The Commissioner of Police should investigate the above assertion and if they are found wanting, they should be brought to justice so as to ensure peace and progress of Kwande.

2. The Kwande Traditional Council in conjunction with the elders should call a meeting and invite the following persons namely: Terlumun Akputu, Col. B.A Kwembe (Rtd), John Akperashi and Tersugh Yachiga. And in the meeting resolve as follows:

a) Direct them to disarm and disband militia in the local government, because there is a saying in Tiv Language which says ‘Ka Or Unan Dzer Dwem La Tser Na Fe U Saan Dwem Ye”.

b) Re-trieve and re-confer the following chieftaincy titles to them as follows:

i. Chief Terlumun Akputu (JP) Asor-Tar-U-Kwande be confer with “Agba Tar u Kwande” In recognition for destroying, Yaakwan House (which led to his death) Asham house, (which led to his death) Unongo Village, Juladaco Hotel, Iyulun Hotel (which led to his death) Disrupting church activities and camping of militia.

AWARDS

· The best destruction chairman in North Central Nigeria;

· The first chairman to be suspended twice since the creation of the local government in 1976;

· A chairman that re-awarded a secretariat which was 90% completed at the cost of N149, 000,000.00 - an amount which doubles the original cost of the project.

· The best promoter of violence/marijuana smokers in Kwande L.G;

· The first non-indigenes to destroy Kwande Local Govt.

Any person comprehensible in the Local Govt. can attest to this fact. This is what he merits, not monetary awards he claims he has.

ii. Chief John Akperashi, “Ikpamkor I Kwande” be confer with “Anande-Tar-U-Kwande” In recognition for the burning of Chief Asom Bur house, Ashongo house, Chief Ashar Igungu house (which led to his death), Sughnen Idyo house, Chief D.I Chula house, Terkula Pever house, John Pever house, Helen Agbam and others. A comprehensive report to this effect was written to the Commissioner of Police in 2003.

iii. Chief B.A Kwembe, “Ivaan-Ayange-I-Kwande” be confer with “Ikpuugh-Ivaan-I-Kwande” for not advising the above named persons and for associating himself with militia.

iv. Chief Tersugh Yachiga- Be confer with “KUR-U-TYA-U- Kwande”. In recognition for being the first person who introduced militia activities in Kwande and for destroying and killing of the followings:- Hon Orya Korinjo house, Philip Igba House, Gbaior Atser house, Mswuan Ikyor house (which led to his death), Chairlady house, and other houses and for the killing of Pa Orya Korinjo, Iorshe Nyam, Omotopho, Igba, five Akende’s militia and four others. This called for the Benue State Security Council to declared him (Tersugh) WANTED in 2004.

v. Rt. Hon. (Dr.) G.T Suswam, executive governor, Benue state be confer with “Hur-Or-U-Wasen-Tar-Gbaan-U-Kwande” in recognition for:

· Approving a loan of N200, 000, 000.00 instead of giving to Kwande the VAT money meant for the projects;

· Using Yachga’s militia to destroy a bridge leading to Unongo’s village on the eve of the April elections;

· For appointing Akputu as a permanent care-taker chairman of Kwande L.G.C, despite been suspended twice by the BSHA and against the wishes of the people.

· For not relieving Akputu of his duty despite the destruction he (Akputu) has done to the community of Holy Trinity Parish, Dagba, rather praising him for a job wel-done.



I know as a fact, they will not do it but let this be on record, who knows, God willing, I will do it. Prior to the conferment of Chieftaincy Titles on the above persons, on 19th Sept 2009, the following persons (as listed below) protested to HRH James Adzape: Mr. J.I Ichaver, V.I. Uji, Charles – Mary Avul, Imoter Nungwa and my humble self and the Ter Kwande and the committee told us that they want to do that so that they (Akputu & Co.) will become reasonable in the society and also change their character. My question to them (Traditional Rulers) is that: Have these people changed? The answer is NO, then the above suggestions stands.

3. If anything happens to me and any member of my family after this publication, the following persons should be believed to be responsible. They are: Chief Terlumun Akputu, Chief John Akperashi, Col. Basil Kwembe (Rtd), Hon. Tersugh Yachiga, G.T. Suswam, Sen. Mark, Chief Gemade, (or their agents) among others. This is because they abducted Uhondo’s son when he published document of this nature.

In conclusion, I want to appeal and advise Dr. (Sen) George Akume that myself and the good people of Kwande are solidly behind you as shown during April, 2011 polls. Dr. (Sen.) George Akume you have done so much to Kwande Local Govt. In terms of human development & physical development you constructed and tarred a road from Adikpo – Iyon, Moon people were no longer in Benue State or Taraba state for more than five years but you brought them back to Benue and re-instated all the District and Clan Heads, staff of primary school re-instated, Terlumun Akptu’s dismissal converted to retirement and also gave ten chances to Moon people to be employed into Benue State Civil Service. Moon and the good people of Kwande needs to worship you like our small god of Kwande not to call you other names. I know as a fact that if you wanted to destroy Kwande, you would have done it through me during my tenure, from 30th may 2002 to 8th August 2003, but no single house of ANPP was destroyed or burnt down. This shows that you have no hands in the destruction done to Kwande Local Govt. If anyone says, Akume or I are the ones, he or she should mention the person’s name, the time of the destruction, apart from the destruction done by Akputu. But here we are worshiping a person who has patched/rehabilitated road from Adikpo to Jato-Aka without any new single culvert being constructed on that road and also someone who refused to give to Kwande Local Government, money that is meant for projects (VAT money), but rather approved a loan of Two Hundred Million (N200, 000, 000.00) for the completion of secretariat. Where is the VAT Money of N592, 243,077.09 due to Kwande Local Government? Source: Fed. Min. of Finance. Did Dr. Akume approve any loan to Kwande before that road from Adikpo to Iyon was constructed?

You should not consider the events at Holy Trinity Parish, Dagba and continue to show love and care to the good people of Kwande local government.

That the whole “Good People” of the Tiv nation and Nigeria in general are looking forward onto you and you should not look back because of the detractors and self seeking politicians who are bent on smearing the long earned good name or destroying your political career. God will not allow them to do so. Amen. Backward Never, Forward-Forward-Ever!

I want to thank the Good People of Tondov Ward, Shangev-ya, Kwande and the public in general for the support and confidence as well as the trust they have in me as a person to stand by me in all situations, especially during elections. I have no money yet the good people of Tondov and Kwande at large still throw their weight behind me. This I appreciate and will continue to appreciate. I also pray that God will bless you. Amen.

Finally, anybody who has any information about me and published or wishes to publish same for the public consumption should please, endeavour to ascertain it is first-hand information, be precise and constructive too.

Thank you.



Hon. Azua Avough Ashongo (JP)

(Former Chairman, Kwande LG Council/ Former PDP State Treasurer)

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