Initiate process to appoint new Tor Tiv now – Unongu tells Governor Ortom

 

The Deputy Leader of the Northern Elders Forum, Wantaregh Paul Unongo, OFR has urged Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom to initiate the process that will usher in a substantive Tor Tiv without further delays.

It has been about four months since the funeral of the late Tor Tiv IV, Alfred Akawe Torkula and the process for the selection of his successor is yet to commence.

In a letter to the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly concerning the amendment of the state’s chieftaincy bill, the elder statesman warned that any further delay in the appointment of a new monarch will lead to chaos.

“The Executive Governor of Benue, Hon. Samuel Ortom should initiate a process to appoint the 5th Tor Tiv immediately. Further delay in making this appointment will only succeed in keeping us embroiled in controversy prone to doubt and subject to various mischievous interpretations.”

He also warned against the use of a voting process instead agreeing on one candidate as it would bring division among the people.

“Any attempt to allow the gust of strong passions that is more like venting of spleen on the subject is likely to degenerate with time, and especially so if the traditional consensus seeking procedure is ignored in preference to a voting process.” The letter read in part.

He also advised that, on the subject of appointing the Otse-Etulo, the Governor should allow the Kingmakers of the Kingdom to, by their tradition which spans over four hundred years, choose their desired candidate who should be a member of the Benue State council of chiefs as was the case during the Colonial era.