Joseph Tarka and the United Middle Belt Congress Movement

Tiv politician Joseph Sarwuan Tarka founded and led the United Middle Belt Congress, the leading political vehicle for Middle Belt (including Tiv) opposition to Hausa-Fulani-dominated Northern Region rule.

Joseph Sarwuan Tarka (born 10 July 1932, Igbor, Tiv division) founded the United Middle Belt Congress and won his first seat on its platform in the 1954 federal election, becoming its president. In Federal Parliament he allied with the Action Group opposition and, after winning re-election in 1959, served as shadow minister for Commerce and Industry. Following the January 1966 military coup and General Yakubu Gowon's assumption of power in August 1966, Tarka was appointed Federal Commissioner of Transport, later Communications (serving in the latter role from 1971 until his 1974 resignation amid corruption allegations). He died in London on 30 March 1980, shortly after being elected Senator for Benue East Central.

Tarka was the most prominent Tiv/Middle Belt political figure of the First Republic; the UMBC's agitation for Middle Belt autonomy directly fed the creation of Benue-Plateau State in 1967.

• United Middle Belt Congress