Barnabas Zayol, President of the Tiv Development Association (TIDA) in Nasarawa State, has accused Simeon Apusu, his opponent in a recent election, of falsely claiming to be the association’s legitimately elected President. Zayol’s charges were contained in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Kelvin Atime, and distributed to journalists in Lafia on Tuesday, July 2, 2024.

According to the statement, Apusu expressed interest in the TIDA Presidency but did not formally submit himself to the TIDA Congress before or after the election. The statement states, in part, “It is a well-known fact that Apusu expressed an interest in running for TIDA Presidency, but he never appeared before any TIDA congress until the election of TIDA President and other TIDA executives was held, and leadership was legitimately established.”

“Even if it were a fabrication of imagination, Apusu would not have begun on a self-deceptive mission, at least for moral conscience, because a house cannot stand without foundation. As it is, Apusu is operating a faceless and one-man TIDA without a valid structure and I wonder how someone who never presented himself for an election, talks more of oath-taking, will lose both morality and legality to be a self-acclaimed leader of a noble organization which is guided by the constitution.”

Atime also declared Zayol’s desire to launch a sensitization campaign to educate Tiv people across the State and the wider public about Apusu’s recent activities, with the goal of preventing disinformation. He urged Apusu to accept the election outcome in good faith for the welfare of the Tiv Community and Nasarawa State as a whole.

In response, Apusu claimed that he is the legitimately elected President of TIDA, claiming full support from the Tor Tiv of Nasarawa State, Chief Clement Ibo, his Council of Elders, and other pertinent stakeholders. Apusu noted that elections for the TIDA presidency are usually not conducted; rather, the office is chosen by Elders and stakeholders.

“I won the election on May 31, 2024, because the position was zoned to my clan. Typically, there is no election in TIDA. Every time, the Tor Tiv and his council of elders meet to perform zoning, and then anyone they want is chosen and recognized as TIDA President.

“So, during this time, the stakeholders gathered in a Tiv congregation and decided to support me for the position. I was the only person contesting the position with Barr. Barnabas Zayol, but I happened to be favoured by the Tiv elders and stakeholders in the State.”

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