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A debate has emerged within Benue State’s online political discourse following a comment perceived by some as stereotyping the Hyarev nation, one of the Tiv sub-groups predominantly associated with Makurdi and Guma Local Government Areas.
In a post on the Benue-Family platform, a contributor identified as Phil Tor Ortese addressed what he described as a pattern of discrimination against the Hhyarev people, citing a recent incident in which a colleague made a derogatory comment, later deleted the message, and apologized.
Ortese stated that while he had withheld the individual’s identity due to the apology, the remark sought to portray Hyarev as unintelligent. He argued that the Hyarev nation is among the most accommodating in Tiv land, noting that ancestors of present-day settlers in Makurdi were given land freely by hyarev forefathers.
Ortese further contended that Ihyarev people have demonstrated strong leadership, citing the successive representation of the Makurdi/Guma federal constituency as a case study.
He took issue with what he called the tendency of some individuals who left their home villages to settle in Makurdi to respond with stereotyping and incivility, including challenges over the ownership of Makurdi Local Government Area. Ortese declared that the current generation of hyarev is well-educated, exposed, and connected, and has resolved not to tolerate incivility under any guise.
He added that while his people would not resort to insulting lineages or clans out of respect for the broader Tiv relationship, they would document actions and respond appropriately when the hyarev nation is engaged. The post has sparked conversations about inter-group relations, political representation, and ethnic accommodation within Benue State.
