Cultural Association Cautions Against Collective Punishment, Says Political Support Must Be Earned
By Our Correspondent
The Mumuye Cultural Development Association (MCDA) has called on the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Taraba State to consider zoning the party’s 2027 deputy governorship slot to the Mumuye people, arguing that the community deserves greater political recognition commensurate with its population, electoral strength, historical contributions and participation in the affairs of the state.
The National Executive Council of the association made the demand during a press briefing, where it described the call as a legitimate quest for equity, fairness, inclusion, justice and meaningful political representation, rather than an attempt to undermine the aspirations of other ethnic groups.
The association declared that its demand was simple and unequivocal: the APC deputy governorship slot in Taraba State should be given to the Mumuye people.
According to the MCDA, the demand was not motivated by hostility towards any ethnic nationality, stressing that the Mumuye people were seeking inclusion rather than exclusion and partnership rather than domination.
“We are not asking for the exclusion of other communities. We are asking for inclusion for ourselves,” the association stated.
“We are not asking for privilege because we are Mumuye. We are asking for fairness because we are citizens of Taraba State.”
The Mumuye body argued that political participation should not be restricted to voting during elections, insisting that communities that contribute significantly to the electoral fortunes of political parties should also have opportunities to participate meaningfully in governance and strategic decision-making.
The association said the Mumuye people had consistently participated in elections, mobilised voters, supported political parties and contributed human and material resources to the political development of Taraba State.
It therefore questioned what it described as the community’s increasing absence from critical political positions.
“Where is the place of the Mumuye people?” the association asked, insisting that the question deserved an honest political answer.
The MCDA maintained that while population alone should not determine political leadership, the numerical strength and political relevance of a major population group could not reasonably be ignored when political parties were building electoral coalitions.
“You cannot continuously ask for the votes, support and loyalty of a people while consistently overlooking their legitimate demand for meaningful representation,” the association said.
The association also anchored its demand on what it described as the Mumuye people’s significant contribution to the political history of Taraba State.
It recalled that two distinguished Mumuye sons had, at different times, occupied the office of Governor of the state.
The association also referred to a former Mumuye deputy governor, clarifying that although he was elected into office, ill health subsequently prevented him from effectively performing the functions and responsibilities of the position, leading to his replacement.
The MCDA stressed that the clarification was necessary to correct any misunderstanding about the circumstances surrounding his departure from office.
According to the association, the episode remains an important part of Mumuye political history and demonstrates that members of the community have previously been entrusted with one of the highest political offices in the state.
The association said the political legacy of its former leaders was one of leadership beyond ethnic, religious and political boundaries.
“They understood that Taraba State belongs to all its citizens,” the statement said, adding that this remained the kind of leadership tradition the Mumuye people were proud of.
The MCDA also made a strong appeal to the political leadership of the state, urging that political disagreements involving individuals from the Mumuye community should not be extended to the entire ethnic group.
The association said that if any individual Mumuye had offended, disagreed with or fallen out with anyone within the political establishment, such issues should be handled with the individual concerned.
“The entire Mumuye people should not be made to pay for the actions, disagreements or political positions of one person,” it warned.
According to the association, the Mumuye community comprises people with different political affiliations, religious beliefs, personal interests and political opinions.
It therefore appealed to political leaders to distinguish between individual political disagreements and the collective identity of an entire people.
“A disagreement with one Mumuye should not become a disagreement with the entire Mumuye community,” the association declared.
The MCDA called on the APC leadership to recognise what it described as the political worth of the Mumuye people and give them a genuine sense of belonging within the party.
The association argued that allowing a Mumuye candidate to emerge as the APC’s deputy governorship candidate would send a powerful message about inclusion, fairness and political reconciliation.
It further contended that such a decision could strengthen the relationship between the APC and the Mumuye people while helping the party build a broader political coalition ahead of future elections.
The association stressed that its demand was not for token appointments but for meaningful participation in the political process.
“We are asking that our people be considered when major political decisions are being made. We are asking that our contributions to the political process be recognised,” it said.
In one of the strongest portions of its statement, the MCDA warned that failure to address what it described as the legitimate political aspirations of the Mumuye people could have consequences for the APC’s relationship with the community.
The association said that, as democrats, the Mumuye people reserved the right to reconsider their political direction if their concerns were not addressed.
It added that the community could be compelled to identify with, support or join political platforms that were prepared to provide meaningful representation.
“This is not a threat. It is a democratic reality,” the association said.
According to the MCDA, political support is neither inherited nor guaranteed, arguing that political parties must continually earn the confidence, trust and loyalty of the electorate.
It consequently urged the APC leadership to engage the Mumuye people constructively rather than allow political dissatisfaction to deepen.
The association was careful to emphasise that its demand was not intended to create ethnic tension or set the Mumuye people against other communities in Taraba State.
It reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, unity and the collective development of the state.
“Our demand is not: ‘Mumuye against others.’ Our demand is: ‘Mumuye alongside others,’” the association declared.
The MCDA said it wanted a Taraba State where every major community felt represented, respected and valued.
It therefore appealed to the Taraba State Government, APC leadership and other political stakeholders to consider its position and open a genuine dialogue with the Mumuye people.
The association called for equity, inclusion and fairness, while urging an end to what it described as any form of collective political marginalisation of the Mumuye people.
Concluding its address, the Mumuye Cultural Development Association said the people had been an integral part of Taraba State’s political history and had contributed votes, resources, ideas and human capital to the development of the state.
It maintained that its sons and daughters had demonstrated the capacity to provide leadership that transcended ethnic, religious and political boundaries whenever given the opportunity.
The association consequently declared that the time had come for what it described as the Mumuye people’s political relevance to be matched with meaningful political representation.
“Our demand for the APC Deputy Governorship slot is a call for justice, equity, dignity, inclusion and recognition,” the association said.
It called on political leaders to listen, the APC to act, and Mumuye sons and daughters to remain united, peaceful and politically conscious.
The association also appealed to the people of Taraba State to understand that its demand was not a campaign against any ethnic group.
“We seek partnership, not domination. We seek inclusion, not exclusion. We seek respect, not tokenism. We seek dignity, not political neglect,” it said.
The MCDA expressed the belief that a stronger Taraba State could emerge when every community had a genuine sense of belonging in the political affairs of the state.
