By Emmanuel Bem
The Mutual Union of Tiv in America (MUTA) has rejected the inclusion of Benue in the Federal Government’s pilot implementation of the National Ranching Policy.
MUTA, in a statement on Monday jointly signed by its President, Prof. Akaa Ayangeakaa, and the Executive Committee Chairman, Prof. Joseph Zume, and made available to newsmen in Makurdi.
The union said Benue communities had endured years of violent attacks, killings, destruction of homes and farms, and mass displacement linked to herdsmen attacks.
They said many displaced persons were yet to return to their ancestral communities and remained in difficult conditions in internally displaced persons camps.
They insisted that national unity should not be built on injustice, insisting that economic policies must respect the security, dignity and ancestral rights of communities.
MUTA argued that the government’s priority should be securing affected communities, facilitating their safe return and protecting their land rights.
The body questioned why Benue was selected for the pilot programme, asking that the criteria used be disclosed and consultations conducted before the decision.
The union also demanded clarification on who would own and operate the proposed ranches and where the land for the projects would be sourced.
They expressed concern that land belonging to displaced communities could be considered vacant and incorporated into the ranching programme.
“Displacement does not extinguish ownership; violence cannot become a pathway to land acquisition,” MUTA said.
The union appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Government to suspend Benue’s participation in the pilot programme.
MUTA instead called for the safe return, rehabilitation, compensation and protection of displaced communities before any ranching initiative.
They said modern ranching could be promoted in locations where communities voluntarily accepted the projects and suitable land was legitimately available.
They stressed that participation should be based on transparent agreements rather than circumstances created by insecurity and displacement.
The union maintained that Benue, as the nation’s food basket, depended heavily on crop farming, making land central to the livelihood and heritage of its people.
MUTA called on the Benue Government, traditional institutions, community leaders, civil society organisations and elected representatives to pursue lawful means to protect the state’s ancestral lands.
The union urged the Federal Government to reconsider the decision, stressing that Benue land remained the heritage and livelihood of present and future generations.
