Tiv Youth Council Worldwide has raised an alarm over alleged plans truncate the ongoing moves to ensure the emergence of a Benue indigene of Idoma extraction as successor to Governor Samuel Ortom in the 2023 poll.
The group led by Mike Msuaan, raised the alarm while addressing a press conference in Abuja on Thursday.
According to Mr Msuaan, the actions of Innocent Ujah, the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Health Science Otukpo, FUHSO, is completely ruining the chances of the emergence of an Idoma person as governor of the state.
Mr Msuaan argued that the Idoma governorship which is gradually gathering momentum is anchored on Justice and fairness.
The group alleged that the composition of the management of FUHSO was in flagrant disregard for the principles of federal character, natural Justice, transparency and fairness.
Buttressing the claim, the group said the composition of the management as thus: “Professor Innocent Ujah—Vice Chancellor; Professor John Idoko–Board Member; Professor Ediga Agbo–Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration); Professor Stephen Abah–Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics); Malam Aminu Abba–Registrar/Board Secretary; John Alechenu Abah–University Bursar; Kathryn Philip (Mrs)–University Librarian; Professor Oladipo Shittu–Provost, College of Medicine; Professor Godwin Akpa–DAP&C; Dr Emmanuel Odu–DIGH&HS; Arc(Dr) Ochapa Adadu–DPP&W; Ameh Raphael–Head of Security Division; Richard Adah–Head of Internal Audit; Daniel Ochigbo–Head of Procurement Unit; and Michael Ogiji–Principal Asst.”
Calling for the dissolution of the management of the Federal University of Health Science, Otukpo, t
The group, therefore, called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the ministry of Education to reject the composition, saying that such was not anchored on known principle of competence but simply tribalism.
“The list above violates the every rule of federal character and sanity as it show clearly thought out chauvinistic agenda in favour of Prof. Innocent Ujah kinsmen, the Idomas.
“This totally bias composition of the management cannot be allowed to stand as it represents a hidden agenda to further deny other ethnic groups the opportunity of being employed in the school. Furthermore, it is a carefully orchestrated plan to deny admission to students who are not from Prof. Ujah’s ethnic group.”
Continuing, it stressed: “This list is capable of causing animosity amongst the ethnic groups in the country and particularly the state. The management has no member of the Tiv ethnic group or even the Igede that are also from Zone C like the Idomas who dominate the list.
Prof. Ujah must be called to order having shown a clear dislike for other tribes.
“This action has sent fears in the minds of the other tribes in the state. For some observers, the action of Prof. Innocent Ujah reflects the character of an average Idoma person and what to expect if an Idoma person emerges Governor in 2023.”
The group further advised all Tiv sons canvassing for an Idoma Governor in 2023 to stop immediately.
The group further insisted that the position of Chairman of the major political parties which has been the exclusive reserve of the Idomas since the return to democracy, be rotated amongst the three Geo- Political zones.
The group also called on the Idoma Traditional Council and other Idoma sons and daughters to prevail on Prof. Ujah to reverse what it termed “such mindless act of tribalism and tender an unreserved apology for insulting the sensibilities of other Nigerians in this manner.”
