The Tiv Community Support Group in Nasarawa State has endorsed Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura as its sole candidate for the Southern Senatorial District ahead of the preparation for the 2019 contest.
The state chairman of the group, Emmanuel Tarhemba, who spoke on the decision at a special event organised by the community in Lafia, said the Tiv community decided to endorse the governor because of his focused, committed, resilient and consistent leadership style despite several challenges.
Tarhemba said most of the senators who had represented them in the zone since the creation of the state in 1996 lacked the political will and capacity to carry them along, affirming that they only needed them when they sought re-election.
He admonished the entire Tiv community to register in the on-going voters registration exercise across the state organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to enable them exercise their franchise.
Tarhemba said, “We the Tiv people of Nasarawa State have seen and believed in the good works of the governor and have come out today to officially and publicly call on him to contest for the Senate seat of Nasarawa South Senatorial District come 2019 for the continuation of the good works.
“We are calling on him to contest the Senate seat because of his development strides across the length and breadth of the state.”
Responding to the call, Governor Al-Makura, who was represented by his deputy, Silas Agara, said his government would continue to identify with entire Tiv community in the state, adding that he will convey their message to the governor.