PROF. AYATSE’S DESECRATION OF THE TOR TIV THRONE
…His Partisan Conduct Violates Benue’s Chieftaincy Law
An abominable incident occurred yesterday, 8th November 2025, at the Ijirtamen (the highest Tiv Traditional Council) sitting in Gboko, where the Tor Tiv, Professor James Ayatse, compelled Tiv traditional rulers to endorse Governor Hyacinth Alia for a second term in 2027.
This action, by all standards, represents a flagrant violation of the Benue State Chieftaincy Law, which expressly forbids traditional rulers from engaging in partisan politics. The law is clear on the neutrality expected of custodians of our traditional institutions and heritage, as they are to be fathers to all, irrespective of political affiliation.
It is deeply disturbing that the paramount ruler of the Tiv nation, who should epitomize fairness, restraint, and wisdom, has instead chosen to descend into the murky waters of politics, using his revered throne to advance partisan interests.
We commend the Tor Jemgbagh, His Royal Highness, Afaityo Ajoko, who stood out among his colleagues and refused to participate in the partisan endorsement. That was integrity on display. The honour and conscience of our royal fathers should not be for sale.
This is not the first time the Tor Tiv has been seen openly aligning with political figures. Only recently, during a church service in Kwande, he openly boasted that he and others would work against any candidate who dares to challenge Governor Alia in 2027.
Such utterances and actions are unbecoming of the highest traditional authority in Tiv land. Tor Tiv Ayatse is undermining the dignity of the traditional institution, eroding public confidence in the neutrality of our royal fathers, and threatening the unity of the Tiv people, who look up to their monarch for impartial guidance and moral leadership.
The throne of our forefathers is not a political platform. It is a sacred institution, the custodian of our heritage, culture, and collective conscience. By taking sides in political contests, the Tor Tiv is compromising the sanctity of his office and betraying the confidence reposed in him by his people.
We therefore call on His Royal Majesty, Professor James Ayatse, to immediately retrace his steps, tender an unreserved public apology to the Tiv nation, and desist henceforth from all forms of political involvement. If he finds it difficult to abide by the provisions of the Benue State Chieftaincy Law and maintain the neutrality required of his office, then honour demands that he vacate the throne. The Tiv traditional institution is greater than any individual, and its prestige and rectitude must not be sacrificed on the altar of political loyalty.
Our royal stools must remain symbols of unity, wisdom, and neutrality, not instruments of political endorsement. The occupant of the Tor Tiv throne must be a father for all, not a political campaigner.
Recently, Governor Alia was rated as the worst performing governor in Nigeria in a national ranking conducted by BudgIt. The ranking was an embarrassment to the entire state, yet, that is the same governor for whom Ayatse has mounted the rostrum as campaign Director General and is arm-twisting other traditional rulers to endorse!
Governor Alia has been running a government of secrecy with zero accountability for nearly three years, but Ayaste sees nothing wrong with that. Alia has sealed all accounts of Benue State Government for nearly three years and is the only one spending from the accounts and the civil service has collapsed, yet, Ayatse sees nothing wrong with that. Alia awards contracts without due process and heavily inflates project costs, yet, Ayatse sees nothing wrong as far as he is making cool cash from the governor to build and expand his private businesses, including a university.
Prof. Ayatse is believed to have entered into a cryptic contract with Governor Alia, whose terms demand that he trades the exalted Tiv throne for pecuniary benefits. The governor on his part, is said to have promised to make Ayaste’s relation governor after his tenure.
Tor Tiv Ayaste has no moral compass to continue presiding over the traditional affairs of our land! He is Tor Pati.
Enough is enough!
Signed,
Aloysius Gbakaan
President, Alliance for Truth and Justice (ATJ)
