Taraba Tiv Integrity Group has raised concerns about alleged misconduct by James Baka, the President General of the Taraba State Tiv Cultural and Social Association.
In a press release signed by its leader Henry Z. Yohanna, and made available to journalists in Jalingo, yesterday, the group accused Baka of abusing his office and engaging in actions they claimed could harm the reputation of the Tiv people in Taraba State.
They also criticized him for joining the Kuteb-Tiv Coalition, an ethnic-based group, without consulting the association’s executive members or the Tiv community at large.
According to the statement, this move contradicts the association’s mission to promote peaceful coexistence among all ethnic groups in the state.
“What James Baka has done implies that the Tiv of Taraba State seek a close relationship with only one ethnic group, which goes against our association’s goals of inclusivity,” Yohanna said.
“We are committed to peaceful coexistence with all ethnic groups, including the Kuteb, Chamba, Fulani, Jukun, Jibu, and Hausa. We cannot afford to be seen as playing ethnic politics at this crucial time.”
The group clarified that while they support individuals’ freedom to join any coalition, Baka’s decision to join the Kuteb-Tiv Coalition in his capacity as President General gave the false impression that the entire Tiv community endorsed the move.
Describing the action as an abuse of office and a betrayal of trust, the Integrity group also accused Baka of running a “shadow committee” within the association, where key decisions are made without consulting the state executive members.
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The group expressed frustration with what they described as Baka’s arbitrary leadership style, involving only a select few individuals in decision-making processes, and allegedly interfering with the traditional leadership in various communities.
Threatening to pass a vote of no confidence on the leadership of the association, Yohanna reiterated that the group’s objective is to promote the political and social well-being of the Tiv people in Taraba State while maintaining harmony with other ethnic groups for the benefit of all.
In a swift reaction, the President General of Taraba State Tiv Cultural and Social Association, who did not only denied the allegation, said his leadership has not indulged in any form of misconduct as alleged by the Tiv Integrity Group.
The President General who narrated how he has been carrying entire members of the association along, said some few individuals are bent in soiling the good images of the Tiv community in the state.
He vowed not to relent in indulging in positive acts that will launder the good images of the association and the entire Tiv community in the nooks and crannies of the state.