Tiv monarchs caution politicians against abusive language

The Tiv Area Traditional Council in Benue State has cautioned politicians against the use of abusive language in campaigns for the 2023 elections.

 Our correspondent reports that the council under the chairmanship of the Tor Tiv and Paramount Ruler of the Tiv Nation, Professor James Ayatse, handed the caution in a communique made available to Daily Trust on Thursday in Makurdi.

 “The meeting enjoined all politicians and their agents to base their campaigns on issues and exercise restraint in the use of offensive language and hate speeches during electioneering in order to maintain peace and human dignity in Tiv land. 

“After exhaustive deliberations, the council noted with deep concern, the continued killings, kidnappings and other nefarious activities by criminal gangs and restive youths with roots in Sankera Intermediate Area (the Local Government Areas of Katsina-Ala, Ukum and Logo) and tentacles virtually all over Tiv land; the trending incendiary rhetoric deployed by political leaders, sociocultural groups and mercenary media practitioners in the buildup to the 2023 elections.” 

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While commending the performance of the country’s military and other security agencies, and Operation Whirlstroke, the monarchs noted with concern “the deteriorating security situation in Tiv land in which rogue herders and bandits have virtually crippled farming, travelling and decent living.”

 The council called on the federal government for more deployment of Operation Whirlstroke to expand their numerical and technical capacity to fight the terrorists and bandits with greater firepower and guarantee the safety of lives and property. 

The council also appealed to the federal government to urgently assist to facilitate the return of victims in numerous internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps, to their ancestral farming lands and communities.