Benue State University, Makurdi

The Idea of Iyuhe in Tiv Politics

EDEIFOILEOGBEN, Bernard^*
PINE, Atah^*

Abstract

In the literature on Tiv studies, so many postulations and counter-postulations have been made concerning the place of Iyuhe in the development of Tivland. These studies have been carried out from different disciplinary specialities. The main objective of this paper is to examineIyuhe and its place in Tiv society and development from the point of view of political studies. Even though the pioneering work that trundled-up the idea of Iyuhe was carried out in the field of political studies there has remained an intellectual drought in engagements with the originating thesis that 'Iyuhe is one of the motivating factors of Tiv political behaviour.' The paper argues that this thesis is farthest from the truth of Tiv politics; and not earthed in empirical and the lived politico-cultural reality of the Tiv people. The thesis is therefore merely conjectural, speculative, and specious. Contrarywise, the paper demonstrates that Tiv politics—partisan politics, that is—is not sui generis, it accords with known political antics and chicaneries that are associated with politics and politicians in modern political practice. Partisan politics essentially is about the pursuit of group and individual political interests and in such pursuits, there are bound to be machinations and intrigues for purposes of group or individual triumph and these machinations and intrigues cannot be ascribed to jealousy and envy. The paper demonstrates that Tiv political philosophy is entwined with a fertile tapestry of values and ideas that if mined and harnessed would be critically resourceful in addressing the challenges of political development and nation-building in Nigeria.

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