By Emmanuel Awari, Jalingo
The Taraba State Governor, Dr Agbu Kefas has presented a staff of office to the first class chief of Takum chiefdom, Barr. Sopiya A. Gboshi.
The ceremony took place at the Exco chamber, Government House, Jalingo, yesterday at 9pm on Monday alongside two other third-class chiefs.
Speaking at the occasion, the Governor observed that for nearly three decades, the vacant throne of Takum has been a symbol of division and uncertainty, expressing hope that the new development will usher in the dawn of a new era in Takum.
He noted that in recognition of the need for inclusivity and fairness in providing good governance, his administration has taken a bold step in addressing the long-time issue of the throne.
“Through wide consultation and careful deliberation, my administration has established three third-class thrones in Takum; each representing the ruling houses of the area; Kpanzo, Kuteb, and Chamba as well as a rotational Chief of Takum.
“I urged people to embrace the principles of reconciliation, forgiveness, and inclusivity.
“My administration remains steadfast in its commitment to increase dialogue and further consultation, recognizing the importance of the rule of law in resolving disputes and ensuring a peaceful and sustainable transition of leadership.
He used the forum to announce the launch of an endowment fund for the rebuilding of Takum and other areas affected by the crisis.
Responding on behalf of other chiefs, the First Class Chief of Takum, HRH Barr Sopiya Ahmadu Gboshi thanked the Governor for the bold step in resolving the Chieftaincy dispute of Takum and pledged to justify the confidence reposed in him.
The Third Class Chiefs; Tsohon Takum, HRH Ephraim Bala and the Kur Garbabi Chiefdom HRH Suleiman Umar Salihu were also presented with the staff of the office.
The State Chief Judge, Justice Filibus Joel Agya administered the oath of office and that of allegiance to the Royal Fathers.
Also presented with staff of office were two third class chiefs from Takum and one from Garbabi in Gashaka local government.
Meanwhile, controversy has trailed the appointment of First class Chief of Takum by the Kuteb community.
The Kuteb Yatso of Nigeria, the umbrella body of Kuteb people worldwide, and the original custodians of the Ukwe Stool, have declared their opposition to the appointment.
The Kutebs vowed not to recognise the new Chief and would exhaust every legal means to recover their ancestral stool.
The President General of Kuteb Yatso of Nigeria (KYN), Comrade Emma Ukwen during a press conference shortly after the appointment in Jalingo on Tuesday described the appointment of the New Chiefs as a charade and gross act of injustice.
Comrade Ukwen disclosed that the Kuteb had already installed their own Ukwe Takum through traditional selection by the Kuteb kingmakers and cannot recognize any political Chief appointed by the government.
“We will not honor politically appointed king of Takum. The Kuteb tribe have been the only tribe ascending the ancestral stool of Ukwe Takum for the past one hundred years, so where is the new political chief coming from. You cannot build something on nothing. “he queried.
Ukwen described the process the state government adopted in the appointment of the chief of Takum as a sham and had fallen short of both historical and traditional standards.
He called on the Kuteb people to remain calm as the matter was already before the court of Law.
The Stool of Ukwe Takum, traditionally a Kuteb stool, has remained vacant since the death of the last Ukwe Takum in 1996, following agitations by the Chamba tribe in Takum local government area of the State to also have a shot at the Stool.
The Kuteb kingmakers have since dragged the State government before a Jalingo High court challenging any attempt by Governor Agbu to appoint a Chamba tribe as Chief of Takum as proposed by the government.
The last administration of Governor Darius Ishaku made attempts to install a new Ukwe but could not succeed. However, the Kefas led administration has sponsored a law at the State House of Assembly that has abolished the seat of Ukwe Takum and replaced it with the Chief of Takum which will be rotational among the Three tribes of Chamba, Jukun and Kuteb, an arrangement Kuteb stakeholders have refused to be a part of.
At a nocturnal event at the Government House Jalingo, the State Governor announced the appointment of HRH Sopiya Ahmadu Gboshi as the new First Class Chief Of Takum, along side HRH Uhwe Ephraim as the Third Class Chief, Jukun-Takum Chiefdom, and HRH Suleiman Salihu as the Kur Garbabi Chiefdom.
Justice Ali Bappa Abare of Jalingo High court on Tuesday mentioned the case and dismissed the suit in a questionable circumstances at about 7.30 pm.
The State government quickly assembled the appointed Chiefs and government officials at about 8.30 pm, one hour after the court judgement and sworn in the newly appointed first class Chief of Takum, suggesting a pre-planned action, including remote controlling the court judgement.
Counsel to the Kuteb community, Festus Idepefo (SAN), described the judgement and the hasty way of the installation of the new king of Takum as a surprise and ellien.
Idepefo noted that his clients were not satisfied with the judgement and have directed him to challenge the judgement in the court of appeal.
There are reports that tension went high in Takum local government Last night shortly after the news of the appointment of the new first class Chief filtered into Takum.
Takum is the hometown of a former Defense Minister Gen. T.Y. Danjuma (rtd).
It was gathered that a detachment of soldiers and police were drafted to the streets of Takum throughout the night of Tuesday.
It could be recall that Takum chieftaincy stools has been vacant for 28, years.