Tor Tiv


Tor Tiv also known as Begha U Tiv is the supreme traditional ruler of the Tiv people. The stool was established in 1946 by the British colonial administration after they created the Tiv Central Council. Tor Tiv is the symbol of unity of the Tiv people. The seat is located in Gboko. The Tor Tiv is the head of Ijirtamen also known as the Tiv Traditional Council, the highest policy-making body in charge of the Tiv people. It comprises all the chiefs in Tiv land. The council sits at least once in a year. The Tor Tiv, according to Tiv tradition, arbitrates disputes among Tiv people without impartiality, irrespective of economic, political and social status of the parties to a dispute.
According to Section 16 schedule 3 of the law establishing the Benue State Council of Chiefs and Traditional Council, the Tor Tiv seat rotates among the two sons of Tiv, Ipusu and Ichongo, as the main ruling houses of the Tiv people. The Tor Tiv is also the chairman of the Benue State Council of Chiefs and Traditional Council.
The current Tor Tiv is James Ayatse. The full title of the Tor Tiv is, His Royal Majesty, Begha U Tiv, Orchivirigh, Prof Ortese Iorzua James Ayatse.

List of Tor Tiv

On 4 March 2017, during the coronation of James Ayatse as Tor Tiv IV at JS Tarka Stadium in Gboko, a man, Stephen Nyitse outwitted the security officers and sat on the stool prepared for the coronation. Nyitse during interrogation said he sat on the stool to cleanse it for the incoming Tor Tiv and make it comfortable for him. The sacrilegist was later banished from Tivland by the Tiv Traditional Council with instructions that no Tiv son or daughter must ever relate with him or help him. Stephen Nyitse was also sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of trespass and impersonating the Tor Tiv on 7 March 2017 by a magistrate court. Later, Tor Tiv V, James Ayatse applied for his pardon.