By Terna Chikpa, Jalingo
Taraba State Governor, Dr Agbu Kefas, on Thursday explained why he would not intervene in the killings and continued displacement of Tiv people in the state.
The governor also said that the Tiv people could continue to write petitions and complain, stressing that he did not care.
Speaking during a Christmas address to his kinsmen in Wukari, Governor Kefas said the Tiv people were not cooperating with his administration, which, according to him, made it impossible for him to intervene in their plight.
“I have been receiving text messages from some Tiv people asking me to intervene in the killings against them by Fulani and others, but I can’t intervene,” he said. “How will I intervene when you are not cooperating?”
He added, “If they like, they should keep writing and complaining, but I don’t care. I am the governor and I have the final say.”
The governor further insisted on the establishment of a Military Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Ikyaior and Jandekyura, declaring that nothing would stop the project.
“Unless I die, I must ensure the establishment of the military FOB in Ikyaior and Jandekyura,” he said. “I don’t understand when the Tiv people keep saying it is their ‘ancestral home.’ What is an ancestor? As governor, I am your ancestor, and I will decide what to do with the land.”
Governor Kefas also said he would not intervene in the ongoing killings of Tiv people in Chanchanji, Takum Local Government Area, again citing lack of cooperation.
“I can’t intervene in the ongoing killings of Tiv people in Chanchanji, Takum LGA, because they are not cooperating,” the governor stated.
