The Jukun Development Association of Nigeria (JDAN) has described as unfortunate the discriminatory policies against the Jukun of Benue State.
A statement issued by the National President, Chief Benjamin Bako and General Secretary, Mr Bulus Bala Abe said their people have been facing discrimination by the state government over the years.
The Association said it supports the court action by the Jukun of Benue State through the National Association of Jukun Wanu Association (NAJUWA) to address marginalization policies against them.
NAJUWA on February 2, 2024 filed a suit at a High Court of Benue State, Makurdi Judicial Division through Falana & Falana’s Chambers to address some discriminatory policies against their well-being by the Benue State Government.
Joined in the suit are the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Benue State House of Assembly, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Benue State and HRM, Orchivirigh Professor James Ayatse, the Tor Tiv and President, Benue State Council of Chiefs.
In a statement, JDAN said it has been following with keen interest the plights of the Jukun in Benue State who lived in the area for centuries, making it look like they are non-indigenes, whereas the region has always existed under the Aku Uka of Wukari, before the Tiv people came from Swem in the 19th century to settle there as immigrants and Jukun serfs up till colonial rule in 1900.
“JDAN frowns at some enactments of the Benue State Governments that excluded Jukun from the state upon which NAJUWA is suing the government and others.One of the enactments is Benue State Council of Chiefs and Traditional Council Law 2016 especially Schedule 5 and 6 of Section 18(1) that seeks to exclude Jukun Wanu whom are indigenes of Guma Local Government, Makurdi Local Government and Logo Local Government of Benue State.
“JDAN noted with concern how qualified Jukun of Benue State are never given any opportunity in the civil service or appointed into positions while the Tiv people in Taraba State are given equal opportunity like any other,” the statement said.
According to JDAN this is unfair treatment to its people who have long settled in the area before the coming of the Tiv people to the Benue valley.
It called on the Benue State Government to immediately reverse all enactments, policies and laws that seek to relegate the Jukun people as second-class citizens in an area that rightly belonged to them but unfortunately are in the minority now.
