The Tiv Traditional Council, Ijir Tamen, on Saturday unanimously agreed to stand by Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State in the implementation of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law.
The Council made its position known at its meeting in Gboko, the traditional headquarters of the Tiv nation.
The traditional rulers stated that if Governor Ortom would be crucified because he chose to resist the invasion and occupation of his land, they were ready to be crucified with him.
They urged the Governor to stand firm and resist any attempt to surrender the land to herders under whatever guise.
The decision of the Tiv supreme council was taken after the Tor Tiv, Prof. James Ayatse, conducted a voice vote, which saw representatives of all intermediate areas of Tivland, namely: Jemgbagh, Jerchira, Kwande, Sankera and MINDA, unanimously rejecting any attempt to suspend the ranching law of the state.
The paramount ruler cautioned Tiv sons and daughters against politics of violence and acrimony, stressing that anyone who encourages political violence would face unpleasant consequences.
Addressing the Ijir Tamen, Governor Ortom said his refusal to support the organized pogrom against his people was the beginning of his travails.
He stated that some prominent Benue State sons had connived with enemies of the state to work against the people, adding that the probe of his security vote and the failed impeachment move were part of the plot to get him out of the way.
He noted that he left the All Progressives Congress for the Peoples Democratic Party because the interest of his people as a state was not protected in his former party.
Both Ortom and Ayatse charged Benue State people who had not yet registered for the ongoing voter registration to do so within the two weeks extension, even as they urged those who registered but were yet to get their permanent voter cards to go for collection.
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