BASIC PROFILE
Born: 11 April 1896 at Mbayar, Nyumagbagh, Mbaduku District, present-day Vandeikya LGA, Benue State
House: Ipusu descendant of Kparev, chief of Ipusu, one of the two major divisions of Tiv whose stool rotates. He was Kunav section of Tiv
Mother: From Mbagen, present-day Buruku LGA
Reign: Selected 19 September 1946, Installed 1 November 1947 (official coronation rescheduled to 3 April 1947 by Governor), reigned until 11 October 1956
Died: 11 October 1956 at age 60 in Gboko, Northern Region, British Nigeria after a brief illness that was not made public
Burial: 14 October 1956 at Abagu, Gboko this became the burial ground for all successive Tor Tiv.
EARLY LIFE
He was born into the Kunav, a sub-group of the Tiv. His family lineage traces to Kpar (Kparev) from Ipusu ruling house. He was a second child of his mother Nginkaa wan Tingir.
Career 1: Military
Enlisted into the Royal West African Frontier Force (RWAFF) stationed at Calabar in 1918 and posted to the third battalion of the Southern Nigeria Regiment.
He was part of Nigerian forces that fought in the Second World War between 1939 and 1946 and was promoted to Battalion Sergeant Major (BSM) before retiring — the highest rank for a non-commissioned African soldier at that time.
Career 2: Police
On retirement, he enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force at Jema’a Native Authority Police, Kafanchan, where he was later transferred back home to Benue to the Tiv Native Authority (TNA), Gboko as Chief of the Native Authority Police.
The Struggle for a Tiv King
This is the most detailed part:
Tiv people returned from WWII with his fellow veterans like Lawrence Igyuse Doki. Having fought wars for and against Kings, they realized the British treated Tiv with injustice using indirect rule. Tiv were divided into 3 factions and kept under Jukun minority at North-East, Cross River at South-South and Lafia Division at North-West. The British even appointed Audu Dan Afoda as Sarkin Makurdi (King of Makurdi). This led to conflicts and riots.
Pressure mounted on Governor Sir Arthur Richards, who in 1944 formally allowed Tiv people to select a king.
The Politics of Selection
Two men were respected enough to be king — Chief Jato Aka of Turan and Ikyaagba Akpeye of Kunav but they were very old. So they sponsored others: Jato Aka supported Gondo Aluor, Ikyaagba prepared his grandson Orya Chenge Ikyaagba.
Kunav people were not pleased with Ikyaagba’s choice. Orya Chenge unfortunately died at Gboko. Allegations of witchcraft spread Tiv alleged his death was caused by a mystical thunder strike ordered by other Kunav contestants.
Ikyaagba was heartbroken and furious. He schemed for the throne to go to any other part of Tivland but NOT Kunav. His scheme almost succeeded Gondo Aluor was scheduled to be crowned first Tor Tiv the next day.
The plan was leaked by a man called Abela Manta to other Kunav chiefs. That night, chiefs Achir Mede, Adamgbe Adasu, Uchir Zungwe and Agbo Kpire convened and invited Ikyaagba. Apologies were offered about his grandson’s death and a reconciliation was made. They chose a unanimous candidate: Makir Zakpe, a WWII veteran from Kunav.
On coronation day, the Kunav chiefs used their sons Igeege Fate and Deem Kpum who were interpreters to the British Governor to foster their agenda. They told the Tiv council that the Governor said a king cannot be chosen in his absence, and told the Governor that Tiv think it more honorable to choose a king in his presence.
The chiefs waited for Ikyaagba to speak since he was most respected by whites. He simply motioned to Agbo Kpire. Agbo Kpire told council: Ikyaagba said, the new king will be his walking stick, so his choice is Makir Zakpe. He emphasized the need for a war veteran because war veterans brought the campaign for a king, and ended with the Tiv proverb: “Kpan ka a tese ambi akula” (when a slave shows you faeces he packs it up).
Gondo Aluor stood and asked Ikyaagba if this was their agreement yesterday. Agbo Kpire answered: “dzwa kaa kwagh mom ga” (the mouth didn’t say anything).
The Governor saw disagreement and ordered a vote. Result: Makir Zakpe 25 votes, Gondo Aluor 11 votes, 18 chiefs did not vote. Governor rescheduled coronation for 3 April 1947 and Makir Zakpe was crowned first Tor Tiv. His confirmation marked the climax in Tiv political development and resolved the crisis after Audu Dan Afoda’s death in 1945.
Reign (1946-1956)
• President of Tiv Central Council (Ijir Tamen) acting as Chief Judge and advocate of Tiv before government.
• Under colonial indirect rule, he was responsible for maintaining peace and order, collecting taxes, recruiting labour, and resolving conflicts.
• His office was in limbo: created to satisfy Tiv demand for representation but absorbed into colonial system. He had to balance government instructions with a society that never had a single central authority.
• Became spokesman for Tiv in dealings with colonial and Northern regional authorities. Was at one time suspended when he opposed government policies seen as contrary to Tiv political traditions. • As a military veteran, he applied conflict resolution wisely ensured no conflicts in Tivland.
• Approved construction of Tor Tiv office building.
• Wiped out the 1948 Garyo movement.
• Ruled from his house at Joe Akaahan Way, Gboko until death.
Succession and Legacy
He was succeeded by his former competitor Gondo Aluor. His accession brought the custom of rotating Tor Tiv stool between Ipusu and Ichongo divisions.
That is why Tiv people still say: before Tor Tiv stool, we had no king Makir made us equal with Hausa neighbours and gave us a voice. His personality was soldier-discipline + police-firmness + traditional humility the exact combination people forget today.
”Jato Aka had the power to declare himself, but MAKIR DZAKPE had the trust of the people. He didn’t force the stool, the stool found him. A soldier, a leader, a symbol of unity. From 1946 to 1956, he showed us that true leadership is not claimed, it is given by the people. Your legacy still holds Tiv together.”
Note: The attached pictures are Ai version as the original pictures in archives are not clearer for display.
SOURCE: Benue Tori
#MakirDzakpe
