2027: Taraba Tiv Community Rallies Behind APC Women Leader
Political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections is gathering momentum in Taraba State as members of the Tiv community rallied around the All Progressives Congress (APC) State Women Leader, Hon. Princess Margaret Tor Mchivga, with renewed calls for inclusion, unity and stronger political participation.
The gathering, held at the Pastoral Centre in Jalingo, attracted APC officials, political stakeholders, traditional and religious leaders, community representatives, women and youths from different parts of the state.
Although organised primarily to honour Mchivga following her emergence as APC State Women Leader, the event quickly developed into a broader conversation about the political future and development priorities of the Tiv community in Taraba.
Tiv Community Celebrates Mchivga
President-General of the Tiv Cultural Association in Taraba State, Chief James Vakaa, said the gathering was organised to formally celebrate Mchivga and recognise her emergence as a prominent female political leader from the community.
Vakaa described the occasion as more than a celebration of one individual, saying it also provided an opportunity to strengthen unity and solidarity among Tiv people across the state.
He encouraged members of the community to remain organised and continue engaging constructively with government and other ethnic groups.
The community, he said, should pursue representation and development without abandoning peaceful coexistence.
Kefas Praised for Tiv Inclusion
The gathering also provided an opportunity for community leaders to assess their participation in the current Taraba State administration.
Vakaa commended Governor Agbu Kefas for appointing Tiv sons and daughters into positions in his government.
He described the appointments as recognition of the Tiv community’s place within Taraba and encouraged residents to continue building constructive relationships with the administration and other communities.
Speakers nevertheless maintained that political representation should translate into tangible development for communities.
APC Says Tiv Community Won’t Be Left Behind
Taraba State APC Chairman Hon. Abubakar Bawa, represented at the event by State Publicity Secretary Hon. Aaron Artimas, acknowledged the political and socio-economic contributions of Tiv people in Taraba.
Artimas noted that Tiv communities are present across several local government areas and constitute an important segment of the state’s electorate.
He assured the gathering that the community would not be left behind in the political and developmental affairs of Taraba.
The APC spokesman also encouraged members of the community to remain politically active and united as preparations for 2027 intensify.
Mchivga Calls Position ‘A Call to Service’
Responding to the reception, Mchivga described her position as APC State Women Leader as a responsibility rather than merely a political appointment.
She thanked the Tiv community for the honour and expressed appreciation to Governor Kefas, First Lady Mrs. Agyin Agbu Kefas, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Child Development, APC leaders and other stakeholders for their support.
She also acknowledged Senator David S. Jimkuta for his contributions to her political journey.
Mchivga pledged to work with women across Taraba’s 16 local government areas and advocate increased opportunities for women in governance, politics, entrepreneurship and community development.
‘Women Must Be More Than Election Supporters’
Mchivga used the occasion to push for greater participation of women in political leadership.
She argued that women should not be regarded merely as supporters mobilised when elections approach.
Instead, she said women should be recognised as critical stakeholders capable of occupying leadership positions and contributing to policymaking and development.
She encouraged women across Taraba to organise themselves, participate actively in politics and build relationships beyond ethnic, religious and political divisions.
Young women and girls were also urged to take education seriously and believe in their ability to rise into positions of leadership.
Traditional Rulers Warned Against Political Manipulation
The gathering also turned attention to the role of traditional institutions during elections.
Guest speaker Dr. Chia Azuaga, Director of the SANWICH Programme at Taraba State University, Jalingo, spoke on the responsibilities of traditional rulers in electoral processes.
Azuaga argued that traditional and religious leaders have important roles in promoting peaceful, credible and participatory elections.
He maintained that traditional rulers should provide guidance and wise counsel to politicians rather than allowing political actors to dictate how traditional institutions perform their responsibilities.
Their influence, he said, should be used to promote peaceful coexistence and responsible political participation.
Tiv Leaders Challenged to Develop Blueprint
One of the strongest messages from the gathering was a call for the Tiv community to move beyond verbal demands for development.
Azuaga challenged the community to develop a clearly documented development blueprint identifying its priorities.
Such a document, he argued, should capture major infrastructure, educational, economic and social needs of Tiv communities across Taraba.
Rather than approaching every government with loosely defined demands, a documented blueprint could provide a clear reference point for engagement with government and development partners.
The approach could also help the community establish priorities and measure progress over time.
Mchivga Presented to Community
A major highlight of the reception was the formal presentation of Mchivga to the Tiv community by Hon. T.T. Shaaka.
Shaaka called on community members to rally around her and support her as she carries out her responsibilities as APC State Women Leader.
The presentation symbolised the community’s recognition of one of its daughters occupying a senior position within the ruling party in Taraba.
But the celebration also came with expectations that her position would strengthen women’s participation and representation.
2027 Politics Takes Centre Stage
With political parties beginning to strengthen their structures and mobilise supporters, the significance of gatherings such as this is likely to increase as 2027 approaches.
The Tiv leadership used the event to emphasise representation, development and inclusion, while APC officials highlighted the community’s importance within the state’s political landscape.
Community leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to peaceful coexistence with other ethnic groups.
For Mchivga, the reception brings recognition but also greater responsibility.
As political activities intensify, attention will increasingly turn to whether representation within party structures can translate into greater opportunities, development and meaningful participation for the communities being mobilised.
Category: Politic
