Taraba Tiv leadership distances self from splinter group on chieftaincy tussle.

Chief James Baka, President General of Tiv Culture and Social Association (TCSA), the umbrella body of Tiv in Taraba State has dissociated itself from the purpoted installation of Chief Akenawe Saameakpe as Ter Ibi after the emergence of Chief Japheth Iorapuu Mkar who is the substantive Ter Ibi.

This is contain in a statement issued on Friday to newsmen in Jalingo by Chief Baka, the President General of the Association Taraba State.

He recalled that the emergence of Chief Mkar as Ter Ibi followed a transparent process being recognized by Tiv customs.

He regretted why after all parties in the chieftaincy tussle after their adoption of the process that lead to the emergence of Chief Mkar would go behind and select another Ter Ibi.

He also recalled that the two candidates who were of Ichongo genealogy went into the contest fiercely and rejected all advances for one steping down for another.

" Election became the last platform to get one emerged for the position.

" Eight kingmakers were nominated for the election and when the election was conducted, Chief Mkar got five votes to defeat Chief Akenawe Saameakpe who got three votes.

"The one who lost refused to accept defeat and the mater was taken to Tiv central leadership council and after all assessments of the process,  we decleard Chief Mkar as the authentic and substantive Ter Ibi.

" We are taken aback that after all the due deligence, the same loser and his cohorts went behind and initiated a Kangaroo process that declared him (Saameakpe) Ter Ibi.

"Consequently, by the powers vested on me as the President General of Tiv in Taraba, I stand to recognize Chief Japheth Iorapuu Mkar  who emerged through a transparent and acceptable process as Ter Ibi.

"I am advising  Akenawe Saameakpe to accept defeat and to stop parading himself as Ter Ibi  and I urge him  again to support the leadership of Chief Mkar as  Ter Ibi.

" I also advice the substantive Ter Ibi to be magnanimous in his leadership by carrying everybody along.

"With this, I am distancing my self on behalf of the Tiv Culture and Social Association Taraba State from the activities of any splinter group on this matter as far as Tiv central leadership is concerned.

"I am also warning those who are faning the embers of conflict to desist forthwith band to reconsider their actions which could be inimical to the peace and harmony among Tiv in Ibi,"