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WE DEMAND JUSTICE FOR THE TIv PEOPLE OF CENTRAL NIGERIA

Text of Press briefing by Dr. Icheikura Moses Bem Ugoh, a public intellectual of TIv Extraction at Difudi Eatery and Lounge, Railway Bye Pass, High Level, Makurdi, Benue State.
Gentlemen of the press,
- You may recall recent altercations between myself and one Isah Ahmed of Berekete family Human Rights Radio, Abuja, following his reckless demonic and defamatory profiling of the entire Tiv race, while purportedly mediating over a xenophobic attack on the Aku family of Akaahar Adi Community, a suburb of the GRA Gboko. This dastardly act gained public condemnation from several quarters as a gross violation of fundamental human rights as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.
- Indeed, such nefarious acts are dehumanising, barbaric, criminal and abominable to every citizen anywhere, anytime regardless of the personality, status or classification of victims.
- Let me reiterate my earlier condemnation of this particular vicious incident that has brought us to negative limelight on account of delayed prosecutorial action by relevant law enforcement agencies.This is totally not in our character as a people with a history of peaceful co existence and accommodation in pure cosmopolitan settlements hosting people from diverse backgrounds.
- This explains my prompt reaction to Isah Ahmed’s slanderous villification of the TIv race with a definite demand for retraction and public apology. This was after a fruitless due diligence to ascertain the link between his arbitration role and invective innuendos and bellicose vituperations against innocent Tiv people worldwide
- Consequently, I handed down a seven days Ultimatum for compliance, failure of which will determine my next line of action. Many doubted our resolve to pursue this matter to its logical conclusion on such a very sensitive and contentious matter that morally affects more of our future generations.
- Gentlemen of the press, let me publicly acknowledge and accept the public apology of Mr. Isah Ahmed, which he personally delivered on the same medium and programme on Monday, 20, May 2024, shortly before the expiration of the ultimatum, apparently to forestall my anticipated action.
- In accepting his dramatic and discourteous apology that referenced me as an insignificant man, I want to further acquaint him of my particulars as an incurable patriot and conscious Nationalist of TIv Extraction on earth planet.
- Furthermore, the apology he tendered was not personal to me but suffice to say that his virile posturing and offensive labelling of the TIv heritage was a monumental disaster to the psyche of all TIv people, thus causing irreparable reputational, spiritual and psychological damages to the entire Tiv race.
- Interestingly, this disastrous episode has provoked spontaneous responses to the intriguing TIv predicament in contemporary Nigeria, especially within the boundaries of their ancestral habitation.
- Therefore, beyond the acceptance of a dramatised cosmetic apology from an ordinary president at the instance of an insignificant man, let me sound our collective resolve as a people to further pursue justice on the contentious issues that were contained in the infamous anti TIv broadcast that erroneously questioned the indigenous status of the TIv people in both Taraba and Nassarawa States.
- There is currently a critical evaluation that is on going by major TIv Stakeholders for a more consolidated response and necessary action at the appropriate time.
- In conclusion, permit me to use this opportunity to appreciate the overwhelming solidarity support for this noble cause for a reawakening to define who the Tivs are in contemporary and emerging Nigeria.
- Thank you, Gentlemen of the press for your attention.
News
PANDEF Clarifies Visit To Tinubu, Knocks Wike Over Inflammatory Comments

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called on President Bola Tinubu to prevail on the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike to retract his publicly disparaging remarks made recently against the socio-political body.
PANDEF described as regrerrable and embarrassing comments by Wike in the aftermath of the group’s visit to Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, even to the extent of insulting the late former Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South Leader, Chief Edwin.
Recall that the FCT minister had, on Thursday, during a media chat, described PANDEF as “the worst organisation anybody can rely on”, while also calling the board of trustee members of the body “political merchants”.
In a statement signed by PANDEF Chairman on Saturday in Abuja, Ambassador Godknows Boladei Igali, urged President Tinubu as the father of the nation, to prevail upon the Honourable Minister to retract his inflammatory statements and extend due respect to these eminent.
Igali clarified that the meeting with the president provided a valuable platform to discuss pressing issues of national and regional importance. Adding that “PANDEF remains unwavering in its commitment to peace, stability, and equitable development in the Niger Delta. We will continue to engage with great vigour, all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of lasting harmony in Rivers State and the broader South-South region.”
His words: ^To set the record straight, PANDEF the foremost socio-political body representing the South-South regions, composed of some of Nigeria’s most distinguished personalities. The delegation to Mr. President included chairpersons of at least four of the six SouthSouth states’ traditional councils, senior traditional rulers of major ethnic groups, former governors, past presiding officers of the Senate, prominent entrepreneurs, academics, and high-ranking retired military officers.
“It is, therefore, highly regrettable and totally unacceptable that a serving minister in the Federal Government would exhibit such brazen disrespect towards individuals of this standing. This attitude perhaps explains his continued refusal of the Minister to engage with the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which PANDEF constituted as far back as October 2024, despite repeated attempts to reach.
“The Honourable Minister (Wike) characterized PANDEF as the worst organization ever” and accused its members of visiting the Presidential Villa merely to solicit financial favors. These statements are not only false but also unbecoming of a public official of his stature.
“PANDEF hereby calls upon Mr. President, as the father of the nation, to prevail upon the Honourable Minister to retract his inflammatory statements and extend due respect to these eminent Nigerians and traditional rulers who were, after all, esteemed guests of the Commander-in-Chief. It is apt to remind that the Minister does not own the Niger-Delta and his errant conduct should not be condoned.
“Notwithstanding this regrettable development, PANDEF remains unwavering in its commitment to peace, stability, and equitable development in the Niger Delta. We will continue to engage with great vigour, all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of lasting harmony in Rivers State and the broader South-South region,” Igali stated.
On efforts to restore peace in River State, Igali restated PANDEF’s commitment for peace in the oil-rich State.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which remains committed to resolving the Rivers State crisis,” Igali stated.
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