The Middle-Belt Forum has described the death of Simeon Mbakorka-Tarka as a great loss not just to the people of Benue state but the entire Middle-Belt and the country at large.
The late Simeon, a Second Republic House of Representatives Member, was also the first son of the late Minority Rights’ Leader and politician, late Joseph Saawuan Tarka.
Leader of the Middle-Belt Forum, Air Commodore Dan Suleiman (retd.) stated this while on a condolence visit to the Tor Tiv, Prof. James Ayatse, at his palace in Gboko.
He said the deceased deserved to be honoured, even in death, owing to the contributions his late father, Joseph Saawuan rendered, especially towards the emancipation of the minority tribes in the country.
Suleiman noted with sadness that the ills Tarka stood against were still being perpetrated against minority tribes in the North.
The forum’s leader expressed dismay that despite huge contributions the people of the Middle-belt make to keep Nigeria one, they have continued to be discriminated against.
While commending the Tor Tiv over his patriotic role of speaking out for the people of the region when it mattered most, he equally commended the role the Tiv Paramount ruler towards restoring peace along the Benue-Taraba borders.
Responding, Prof. Ayaste appreciated the leadership of the forum over the visit stating that was a reflection of the oneness and unity the late Tarka fought and died for.
“I am pained over the death. As father of the Tiv nation and I also pray for a stop to such death. I want to sincerely thank this powerful delegation from the Middle-Belt Forum for keeping the Middle-Belt flag flying.
“You stood firm when we had challenges in the region and I must commend you for that. As a father, I have always encouraged the political class to strengthen the Forum with the view to sustaining the identity amongst our ethnic groups so that we can also have a say in the affairs of the Nigeria.”