Federal Character and Benue State Politics (1)
TIV people need to realize they have no connections or power on the Federal level. The TIV are the 4th or 5th largest tribe in Nigeria, but have not been able to translate those numbers into political power. The TIV people's votes are only courted during elections and thereafter their aspirations are subsumed into the Old Northern Nigeria power structure were it has second class status as a Christian minority in that grouping. The late JS Tarka tried to break away from that system and was hugely successful and parlayed that into a run for the presidency and senate presidency which he lost out on despite the power of numbers behind him. TIV people need to understand that the need more than one person in positions across the federal government to secure employment for their tribe, so (the attached post and commenters) the should not not blame Ayu, (remember he did not last long as the senate president) or Gemade (is there anyone else) because they were in power during the reign of