By DOOIOR PETER

Governor Abdullahi Sule has finally told the Tiv people why, after years of promises, a Tiv chiefdom in Nasarawa State remains a dream.

His explanation is stunning.
It is not because the Tiv are unqualified.
It is not because the law prohibits it.
It is not because the government has concluded that the Tiv do not deserve one.
According to the Governor, the problem is resistance from their Alago neighbours in areas where Tiv people reside.

This revelation deserves the question:
WHO IS GOVERNING NASARAWA STATE?
Is it the elected government of Nasarawa State with Engr Suke as the governor or an ethnic group?

If a government has the authority to create traditional institutions, how can the objection of another ethnic nationality become sufficient reason to repeatedly put the aspirations of an entire people on hold?
And if the government cannot overcome that resistance, what exactly is the Governor’s position?

Governor Sule reportedly advised Tiv people to use their closeness to traditional rulers in Keana, Doma and Obi to lobby for a chiefdom, suggesting that the traditional rulers may listen to them more than they would listen to him.
That statement deserves serious reflection.

The governor is the chief executive of the state. He has not only access but control over the machinery of government, security agencies, advisers, top civil servants and traditional institutions.

With all the powers, is the governor true to himself in telling Tiv people to go and lobby traditional rulers for what is their legitimate right to have as a people?
Also, if our request is lawful and just, why do we need to beg?

There is another part of Governor Sule’s message that Tiv people should not ignore.

He thanked the Tiv for supporting Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, the APC governorship candidate, assuring that he (Wadada) would do even more for us.

But the question is:
More of what?
More promises?
More appeals for patience?
More political support without corresponding political results?
But now is time for Tiv people to demand for evidence or concrete agreements before deciding who to give their political support.
Politics is not about empty promises. It is about who meets or satisfies your interest. We have dwelled enough in the past on assumptions, now is the time for a different approach.

This is not a campaign against any particular people. Far from it.

Generally, nothing should be done to undermine peaceful coexistence between our communities, but our interests too ought to be respected and protected.

Furthermore, peaceful coexistence cannot mean that one ethnic group’s legitimate aspirations must permanently depend on another group’s approval.

The Tiv therefore must extract from every candidate seeking our votes in 2027:
Where do you stand on the Tiv chiefdom question?

Will you give it to us with courage, or not?

What exactly will you do differently?

And to Governor Sule and the APC:
If the Tiv are qualified, the law permits it, and the people genuinely desire it—and your government has refused to deliver it. Do you deserve our trust again?

Now is time to make our votes count.

Nobody should expect us to vote them merely because we have done it before.

Finally, it’s worth stressing that 2027 is about our interest and accountability. No more, no less.

By Felix Umande

The Mbatan Traditional Council in Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State has banned children below 16 years from attending wake-keeps and night gatherings and from loitering around kiosks selling sachet drinks.

The council also banned cultivation, sale and smoking of Indian hemp and drug abuse in the community.

The resolutions were reached at an expanded council meeting held on Monday, October 5, 2026, according to a statement issued by the District Secretary, Iortyom Ezekiel. The laws will take effect from October 13, 2026.

The council ruled that any underage child caught violating the curfew will receive 12 strokes of the cane. It directed men of the Benue State Civil Protection Guards, youth organisations and hunters to enforce compliance.

On Indian hemp, the council warned that anyone caught cultivating Cannabis Sativa will be banished to his maternal home, locally known as “Igba.” Sellers in small quantities will pay N50,000 fine, while operators of bunks will pay N200,000 and one big goat.

Smokers and drug abusers, when caught, will pay N50,000 with 12 strokes of the cane.

The council advised youths to venture into rice and soybean farming instead of Indian hemp.

In his remarks, Tyoor Mbatan, Chief Orpin Jinge, called on the Tanaka Development Association, kindred heads and community leaders to intensify awareness on the new laws.

Mbatan is a council ward within Mbayion, Gboko LGA.

By Felix Umande

The Chairman of Gboko Local Government Council, Barr. Torseer Yina, has suspended the leadership of the Benue Motorcycle Hirers Association, BEMOA, Gboko branch, with immediate effect.

The chairman also imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in the local government from Thursday, October 8, 2026, to contain violent protests by members of the association.

The protest followed the killing of an Okada rider by unknown gunmen who reportedly shot him and made away with his motorcycle on Wednesday night.

The protest, which was hijacked by hoodlums, turned violent when an angry mob burnt down two vehicles belonging to the Benue State Civil Protection Guards.

In a statement signed by the Secretary, Gboko Local Government Security Council, Vincent Akaakohol Nev, the chairman said the curfew takes effect from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily.

He warned that anyone caught flouting the order and breaching public peace would be decisively dealt with, adding that persons and vehicles on essential services are exempted.