The President General of Mzough U Tiv (MUT) worldwide, Chief CP Iorbee Ihagh (rtd), has disclosed that the paramount ruler of the Tiv nation, Tor Tiv, HRM Prof James Iorzua Ayatse, has successfully mediated in the rift between the Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr Abdullahi Sule, and the Vice Chancellor of the University of Mkar, Prof Zakarys Gundu.
The dispute arose after Prof Gundu alleged during a public meeting that armed herdsmen were using Nasarawa as a base to launch attacks on Benue communities. Governor Sule had threatened legal action against the academic, a move that sparked outrage among Tiv sons and daughters across the world.
Prof Gundu, through his counsel, Prof Sebastine Hon, had insisted he was ready to meet Governor Sule in court. However, the matter drew wider concern, prompting the Tor Tiv to intervene in the interest of peace between the neighboring states.
Chief Ihagh, in a statement made available to journalists in Makurdi on Thursday, confirmed that the royal father’s intervention had persuaded Governor Sule to rescind his plan to seek legal redress.
He appealed to Tiv indigenes at home and abroad to immediately refrain from further public commentary on the matter, stressing that continuing to stoke the controversy could jeopardize the peace-building efforts.
According to Ihagh, “The MUT worldwide wishes to bring to your notice that the Tor Tiv, HRM Prof James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, CFR, has intervened in the matter between Governor Sule and Prof Zakarys Gundu. The royal father considered it necessary to step in, in order to safeguard peace between Benue and Nasarawa states.”
He further noted that the resolution was achieved after Governor Sule agreed to discontinue legal proceedings against Prof Gundu, following the Tor Tiv’s intervention.
“I wish to appeal to all Tiv sons and daughters to sheath their swords and cease further comments on the matter, in the interest of peace. I also commend Governor Sule for his peaceful disposition and readiness to let the issue rest,” the MUT leader said.
Chief Ihagh also expressed gratitude to the Tiv nation for standing firm with MUT during the dispute and praised the Tor Tiv for his timely intervention, which helped avert a potential escalation of tensions between both states.
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