Taraba Assembly resolves Three decades Chieftaincy Tussle
Callistus Agwaza, Jalingo
The Taraba State House of Assembly has resolved a Three decade old Chieftaincy tussle over the stool of Ukwe Takum in Takum local government area of the State by passing into law a Bill that allows for the creation of one rational First Class Chief of Takum and Three Third Class Chiefs for the Three major tribes of Kuteb, Jukun and Chamba.
Chairman of the House committee on local government, Chieftaincy and tradition, Hon. Abel Peter Diah, while presenting the report of the committee after the public hearing on the Bill noted that the committee has looked at all options and arguments and have resolved to accommodate everybody for the sake of peace and justice.
According to Diah, “we have looked at every option and have concluded that the only way to bring back peace in Takum is to accommodate everybody. That is why we have removed the title of Ukwe Takum to replace it with Chief of Takum. No price is too much to pay for peace. When both parties grandstand, you will have such situations. Government has done it’s best. The initial submission by the executive came with the title ‘Kuru Takum’ but this committee has decided to make it ‘Chief of Takum’ so that it will be open to everyone.
“I feel that sentiments apart, there will always come a time when reality dawns on everyone. I urge people to follow the rightful way of doing things rather than choosing the path of anarchy. We want a one Taraba and that must be a priority over any tribe or sect”.
There have been contentions over the stool of Ukwe Takum since 1996 when the last Ukwe died, with the other tribes of Jukun and Chamba also agitating for the slot of the stool that is considered the exclusive preserve of the Kuteb people.
However, successive governments in the State could not resolve the issue as the Kuteb people have vowed to resist any attempt to destroy their heritage and culture.
Part of the report the committee presented reads that “You may wish to recall that, this Honourable House during its sitting on Monday 19th February, 2024 received an Executive communication on the Establishment of One Rotational 1st Class Chief and Three (3) 3rd Class Chiefs Bill, 2024.
“The Honourable House went further and considered the general Principles of the Bill. After an exhaustive debate the Bill was referred to the Committee on Local Government, Traditional and Chieftaincy Affairs for further Legislative actions.
“In their submissions during the public hearing, the Taraba State Council of Chiefs, Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON),the Jukun Takum, Chamba Takum, Ministry of Justice all expressed their total support for the Bill, stressing that it will put to rest the lingering Chieftaincy tussle in Takum.
“On the other hand, the Kuteb Yatso of Nigeria, Ukwe Takum Royal Palace, Kuteb Youths of Nigeria, National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) Taraba State vehemently opposed the Bill as they view the Bill as an attempt to deprive the Kuteb race of their inheritance since they consider the Ukwe stool as their exclusive preserve.
“Section 10(1). There is hereby established Takum Traditional Council with the Chief of Takum as the president with the following members: (a) The three 3rd Class Chiefs are:-(i) Gara of Chamba Takum (ii) Tsohon of Jukun Takum, (iii) Kwe of Kuteb Takum,(b) All graded Cheifs under Takum Local Government area.
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“Mr. Chairman, my distinguish colleagues, it is with great sense of humility that I, on behalf of this esteemed Committee, sincerely appreciate Mr. Speaker and the entire leadership of this Honourable House for giving us this opportunity and support to execute our assignment within the shortest time allocated to us. May I commend the efforts, unity and the contributions of the members of this Committee who worked tirelessly and diligently towards making this assignment a success. We, as part of this Honourable Institution of government, will always and willingly continue to avail ourselves for any further assignment we may be called upon to perform”.
Our Correspondent reports that Kuteb stakeholders have sworn to “resist the move by the state government to take over the stool and hand it over to a Chamba man in compensation to General TY Danjuma for his developmental strides in the State as the traditional stool is not a souvenir to be handed out to people for having their businesses in the State”.
