Tiv Stakeholders, Groups Goes Into Crucial Meetings, Might Reject Gov. Ishaku’s Commission of Inquiry into Crisis

• Faults 'exemption of Jukun' from Commission's terms of reference   

The Taraba State Governor, Arc. Darius Dickson Ishaku decision to set up a commission of inquiry into the crises between Tiv and their neighboring communities within the state has forced stakeholders and various leadership of Tiv groups into crucial meetings to review its participation in the inquiry commission.

Governor Ishaku of Taraba state has announced a seven man commission of Inquiry to find lasting solutions into the Tiv/jukun crises that last for decades, observers are however worried that the instrument constituting the commission exempted the Jukuns as an identified party in the age long crisis.

President-General, Tiv Cultural and Social Association (TCSA), Goodman Dahida in a phone interview with Taraba Truth and Fact newspaper lamented that the crisis is between the Tiv and the Jukun but the Governor skipped that and said Tiv and its neighboring communities, therefore tactically exempting the Jukuns from the crisis in the Southern part of the state.

He said the governor last year  setup a 30 man committee, 15 Jukun; 15 Tiv, this 30 man committee submitted its report to the state government, "the Governor has never said anything concerning that report, I think the government should look into the recommendations of that report."     

Several Tiv leaders who spoke to Taraba Truth and Facts Newspaper confirmed that a crucial stakeholders meeting of the Tivs is being planned for weekend in Abuja and Jalingo to discuss . 

"The meeting would look into the many clauses we have with the Commission of Inquiry set up by Governor Ishaku, we welcome an Inquiry into the crisis but this has to be done with an open mind, it's an open secret that the Tiv in Taraba are have been having issues with the Jukun, we are surprise that the Governor messed up a very good initiative like this Commission of Inquiry by omitting the Jukun from it.  The government should have made it clear it's a Commission of Inquiry into Tiv/Jukun Crisis in Taraba state.

"The Commission terms of reference has already presented the Tiv in Taraba as the trouble maker and has put them in a disadvantage position before the commission . Also, we will study the profile of the members of the Commission, they are people we are not clearly comfortable with and all these issues has to be address to determine our participation in the process," a highly placed Tiv leader told Taraba Truth and Fact newspaper.

Another Tiv leader in Abuja said the Governor did not consult widely before announcing the commission of inquiry. 

"We are studying the terms of reference and consultations are ongoing across board because we are suspicious of the government sudden interest in a Commission of Inquiry after rejecting the idea severally. We will make our stand known very soon." 

The governor, while unveiling the commission, said he was worried by the unnecessary outbreak of violence in the state and therefore, was poised to bring an end to it.

Citing the powers vested on him by Section 2 of the Commission of Inquiry Law,Cap.34 Laws of Taraba State,1997, the Governor charged the members to examine the remote and immediate causes of the crises between the Tivs and people living in communities of Wukari,Takum,Donga,Ibi,Ussa,Gassol,and Bali Local Government Areas or any other part of the state since 1991 to date.

They were also urged to examine and identify cases of banditry, kidnapping and other vices related to or arising from within the border communities and their relationship with the crises.

While the Commission is mandated with the responsibility of identification of the basic issues and causes of prolonged and perennial crises between these communities and advise on the strategies for securing lasting peace, they were also expected to identify individuals or groups that have contributed or instigated the crises and recommend appropriate sanctions where necessary.

The committee is headed by a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Hon. Justice Kumai Bayang Aka'ash JSK (rtd) as Chairman.

Other members of the committee includes; 

Hon. Justice Emmanuel Garba, Hon. Justice Ambrose D. Mammdi (rtd), Barr. Danjuma D. Ridam, Prof. Rodgak I. Gofwen, Prof. Istifanus Zabadi and Hamid Audu Esq. as Secretary while Emeka Okoro is to serve as the commission's counsel.

Jukun/Tiv Crisis: STYCOP Commends Governor Ishaku

Meanwhile the Southern Taraba Youth Coalition for Peace (STYCOP) has commended  Governor Ishaku for the bold step taken in constituting a Commission of Inquiry into the Jukun/Tiv crisis in the state. 

Project Director, STYCOP Rikwense Muri in a statement said  looking at the caliber of the reputable men on the Commission, will in the next three months provide the state with a roadmap towards ending the violent conflict and ensuring sustainable peace in the state. 

"We believe that violent conflict don't just happen without an underlying cause and therefore peace should not be sought by means of rhetoric on media without finding out the root cause of crisis. Arc Ishaku is on track with this step and we pray that he sustains the integrity of the process to a logical conclusion. 

"STYCOP support this decision of the governor and will closely monitor the process to ensure no political interference comes into the process jeopardize it from its term of preferences," Muri said.