Unongo Calls For Tor Tiv’s Removal Over Charles Ayede’s Death

Elderstatesman and stalwart of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, Wantaregh Paul Iorpuu Unongo has called on the Tor Tiv, Orchivirigh Alfred Akawe Torkula, to step down as the royal father of the Tiv, following the gruesome murder of an ACN member Mr. Charles Ayede.

Unidentified gunmen killed Ayede Kadarko, Nasarawa State last weekend.

Unongo, who was one time Minister of Power and Steel in the Second Republic, accused the Tor Tiv of encouraging these killings by being partisan and called for his immediate removal. He described the gruesome murder of Charles Ayede as senseless and barbaric.

“If the Tor Tiv has some decency in himself, then he should step down from the stool. I am ashamed to call him Tor Tiv. Why must it be my people (Kwande) all the time? Is this what they promised me when I decided to dump the ANPP for PDP? Must politics be a do or die affair? Enough is a enough,” Unongo said.

The Septuagenarian, who addressed a press conference in his Makurdi residence yesterday, said the murder is intolerable and unacceptable by the Tiv people.

Unongo, who spoke as he fought back in tears, revealed that the ACN won the just concluded governorship election in the state, adding that the people are free by law to change a government and style of governance.

“I know that my party PDP did not win the election though I stayed on in the party and they accused me of anti-party activities. If there was free and fair election, ACN would have won.

“If there is something that the women and children showed so much interest in, the heart of God is there too. I warned them not to interfere with the election, but they turned around to insult me,” Unongo said.

While holding the gory picture of the slain Ayede, Unongo frowned at the dangerous era of barbaric and destructive politics practiced in Tiv land.

“You kill innocent people and you turn around to threaten me not to say the truth. You expect me to celebrate murder. Ayede’s murder is one crying to God. If condemning this murder will make me starve, then let it be. This act is coming straight from the pit of hell. God will deal with anybody who perpetrated this act. This should stop. If PDP won, then why are they killing people this way?” Unongo asked .
By Ubong George/ Benue