Some Tiv elders and group stakeholders in Taraba State have disassociated themselves from a remark purportedly rejecting the composition of Governor Agbu Kefas’ 2027 All Progressives Congress (APC) marketing campaign workforce, describing it as unauthorised and now not consultant of the collective place of the Tiv folks.
The elders made their place recognized right through consultations performed by way of Agaigbe Ola Mlahaga, the governor’s Particular Assistant on Entrepreneurship, following the circulate of a remark titled “Reliable Remark of Rejection of Appointments into Governor Agbu Kefas’s 2027 APC Marketing campaign Group by way of the Taraba Tiv Elders Discussion board” on October 8, 2026.
Mlahaga, in a rationalization issued to reporters in Jalingo, mentioned the elders and stakeholders he contacted in my view, thru phone conversations and face-to-face conferences, denied taking part within the alleged deliberations or authorising someone to talk on their behalf.
He mentioned the consultations additionally failed to determine that the purported discussion board represented the recognised collective voice of Tiv elders around the state.
In keeping with him, the remark must now not be interpreted as proof that Tiv folks in Taraba State had jointly rejected Kefas and his 2027 marketing campaign workforce.
Mlahaga, then again, stated issues amongst Tiv communities over lack of confidence, displacement, the safety of ancestral lands and the secure go back of displaced individuals, stressing that the problems required pressing and sustained consideration.
He mentioned the elders he consulted advocated non violent engagement and efforts to revive steadiness, caution towards exploiting the real issues of affected communities to create political divisions.
He added that enhance for peace projects didn’t imply all demanding situations have been resolved, however underscored the desire for optimistic discussion and sensible interventions to facilitate the go back of displaced households and repair their livelihoods.
At the 2027 basic election, Mlahaga suggested Tiv folks to ensure political statements prior to accepting or circulating them, caution towards permitting publications of unsure starting place to persuade their political selections.
He often known as at the state executive to maintain engagement with professional group representatives, noting that the Tiv folks deserved safety, justice, inclusion and sustainable construction.
Mlahaga additional claimed that the elders and stakeholders he consulted expressed their goal to enhance Kefas’ political aspiration and APC applicants of their respective native executive spaces within the 2027 basic election.
He clarified, then again, that his remark mirrored the end result of his non-public consultations and must now not be construed as a proper solution recommended by way of each Tiv elder or group in Taraba State.
He suggested Tiv elders, youths, ladies and different stakeholders to stay calm, pursue their pursuits thru non violent engagement and keep away from statements in a position to deepening suspicion or undermining efforts to revive peace.
The governor’s aide maintained that the Tiv group may shield its ancestral pursuits and insist answers to lack of confidence and displacement whilst taking part responsibly within the state’s political procedure.