The impostor who sat on the throne of the Tor Tiv

His Royal Majesty, Professor James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, new Tor Tiv

By Okafor Ofiebor

A young man, Stephen Nyitse from Ushongo Local Government Area of Benue State caused a stir that sent shivers into the spines of dignitaries at JS Tarka Stadium, Gboko, Benue State, the venue of the coronation of Tor Tiv V in Gboko today. He walked confidently and briskly, and sat on the throne of the yet to be coronated Tor Tiv, Prof James Ayatse.

The strange action of Nyitse, according Babs Usigbe, who posted this breaking news on his FB wall, shocked king makers and important dignitaries within Nigeria and Tiv indigenes in diaspora who were attending the coronation. He was able to beat the tight security at the venue and around the revered throne and gained access to it.

Governor Samuel Ortom and wife Eunice in Tiv traditional attire at the venue of the coronation of the new Tor Tiv

“The Pavilion” who is an Eyewitness and posted the incident as on his Facebook page said that strange behaviour of the impostor aroused stir and apprehension among guests as security personnel immediately picked him for interrogation. As this was going on, Pentecostal fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, president in Benue, Bishop Mike Angou, led other men of God to anoint and rededicate the seat.

At the time of this report from Gboko, Benue state, Stephen Nyitse had been whisked off for interrogation to ascertain his mental state and whether his action had any sinister motive.

However, Afaakaa Chiahemba, a Tiv does not see anything strange in the action of Nyitse. In his reaction “Nothing is strange there; it is part of the coronation. It is one of these rituals that are involved in the process, those Bishops should stop this cash and carry prayers.”

For others, like Jack Abah: “The man needed recognition and got it on a platter of gold. Don’t be surprised, he may mean no harm at all”.

Meanwhile, GovernorSamuel Ortom his wife, Dr Eunice Ortom, accompanied by some members of the Benue State Executive Council and friends, stepped out in colorful Tiv attires this morning for the coronation of the 5th Paramount Ruler of the Tiv nation, His Royal Majesty, Professor James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse.
.
At time of filing this report, the coronation of the 5th Tor Tiv was going on as planned but security has been beefed up around the revered throne and unwanted persons who had no relevant business to the actual crowing of the only paramount ruler of the Tiv ethnic nationality world wide were cleared.