Politics

Takum: Dont Invite Anarchy: Kuteb Elders Warn Gov. Agbu’s Over plans to rotate Ukwe Stool

Published

2 years ago

February 8, 2024

By: Uhuru Samuel Adaji Jalingo

A group of Kuteb elders from Takum local government area of Taraba State have accused the State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas of deliberately inviting anarchy to the area following his plan to rob the Kuteb tribe of the stool of Ukwe Takum.

The spokesman of the group, Joshua Rimamsikwe during a briefing with journalists in Jalingo on Wednesday said that the plan by the governor to dismantle the ancestral stool of Ukwe Takum to create three third class tribal Chiefs in Takum was not only an invitation to crisis but an agenda to wipe out the Kuteb race from the surface of the earth.

He added that the Kuteb race who have been the sole occupants of the stool of Ukwe Takum also rejects the planned agenda of the Governor to rob the Kuteb of their ancestral first class stool of Ukwe Takum and give it to the Chamba tribe or any other tribe under the guise of introducing a rotational system for a stool that had been occupied by the Kuteb since time immemorial.
“The Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas is only implementing the age long agenda of his godfather, General T. Y Danjuma whose plan has been to rob the Kuteb tribe of the stool of Ukwe Takum and transfer same to the Chamba, Danjuna’s tribe who have never occupied the stool since its creation in 1914.

“Before Governor
Kefas should make the seat of Ukwe Takum rotational among Chamba, Kuteb and Kpanzon, he should first start with the seat of Aku Uka of Wukari and rotate the stool between, Wapang, Tiv and Hausas being the dominant tribes in Wukari.
“I want to place on record that before the creation of Taraba State in 1991, there existed three main traditional institutions in what is today known as Southern Taraba. These include, Aku Aku of Wukari first class headed by a Wapang as paramount ruler, Gara Donga, in Donga, Second Class headed by a Chamba as paramount ruler while there is Ukwe Takum also second class headed by a Kuteb tribe as paramount ruler, before the stools of Ukwe Takum and Gara Donga were elevated to first class by the former Governor Jolly Nyame administration in 2005, so why is it only the stool of Ukwe Takum that should be made rotational amongst major tribes in Takum”?, they emphatically asked.
National Trail correspondent in Taraba, gathered that despite the looming tension in Takum local government area in Taraba State over the 28 years disputed stool of Ukwe Takum, the State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas appears to be bent on going ahead with plans to install a none Kuteb tribe to take over the stool of Ukwe Takum and damned whatever the consequences might be.
Governor Agbu had earlier informed the king makers of the Ukwe Takum ruling houses, Likam and Akenten at a meeting of his intention to appoint 3 third class chiefs in Takum, one each for three tribes in same Takum town for Kuteb, Kpanzon and Chamba. He also plans to maintain a 1st class King which will be rotated between the same three tribes. Meaming there will be four chiefs of different tribes in the same town.
Understandably, the two ruling hauses opposed the Governor’s decicion which they say was alien to the traditional stool which, according to them, was a sole inheritance of the Kuteb tribe who have been occupying the stool since 1914.
Apart from his meeting with the kingmakers and Kuteb elders, Governor Agbu again held another meeting with Kuteb youths at the government house Jalingo on February 4 where he equally briefed them of his plan to dismantle the stool of Ukwe Takum.

It was gathered that Governor Agbu emphatically told the Kuteb youths that he will go ahead with his plan and that the only option left for the Kutebs is for them to go to court.
The Governor allegedly warned the Kuteb youths that any attempt for them to forment any trouble in the area would be met with decisive military action.
While the Youth, mostly humbled by the presence of the governor, rose without a definite protest, our Correspondent gathered that they rose from the meeting with a sealed resolve to lay down their lives to protect their heritage.
The stool of Ukwe Takum is the First Class Chief of Kuteb people and has been their exclusive preserve. The Three dominant tribes of Kpnazo (Jukun), Chamba and Kuteb in Southern Taraba, occupy the stools of Aku Uka, Gara Donga and Ukwe Takum respectively and that has been the seamless arrangement over the years.
However, upon the death of the last Ukwe Takum nearly Three decades ago, there has been succession issues that led to the death of several persons and have left the stool vacant. Successive governments in the State mostly chose to keep mute about the embattled throne.
The agitations to install a Chamba person to the throne became heightened when a Jukun man Darius Ishaku emerged as the state Governor in 2015.
Despite all his efforts, the Kuteb Yatso, the umbrella body of the Kuteb people stood firm to resist all the attempts, saying time and again that the installation of a different person to the stool will mean the destruction of their heritage and they will rather die than have it.
Eventually, Governor Ishaku could not succeed. According to the Kuteb Yatso, the problem is with the former Minister of Defence General TY Danjuma, a Chamba man from Takum, who feels that someone from a different tribe should not be his king, considering his enormous achievements in Nigeria, development he brought to the area and his accomplishments in society.
Consequently, Governor Kefas, who is the General’s political godson is determined to grant his principal his lifelong wish at any cost, even if it means inciting crisis in the area.
But the Kuteb would not have it. Baba Jauro, an elder statesman from Kuteb in his agitation said that “the governor wants to bastardise the stool of Ukwe Takum into 3 chiefs. That has never happened anywhere in the world, even within southern Taraba stools of Wukari and Donga. Why Takum only? It will then mean that the history and the root of Kuteb as a nation is destroyed.
“He wants the Kpanzon and Chamba tribes to gain 3rd class Chiefs each and eventually a 1st class while Kuteb will lose its 1st Class Chief to 3rd class and may never recover it again. If Governor Kefas thinks this a good thing let him make law and apply same to the whole Taraba Chiefdoms where there are more than one tribe.
“If we are really three brothers in Takum, why should he bastardise Ukwe Takum Stool in favour of Jukun & Chamba who are fully engaged at Wukari and Donga? Kefas should fear God and not man. We categorically state that he who wants the stool bastardised and shared lacks the honour and wisdom of King Solomon and the two women in the Bible.
“For us, if it means the last battle that we would fight, then so be it. But we would never live to see our whole tradition and heritage bastardised and handed over to someone as a mere souvenir. Alhaji Sani Abubakar Danladi has more investment in the State than any other individual. He has employed more persons from Taraba than any other person. You can quote me anywhere. But I don’t hear him asking for traditional stools all over the place as compensation” he said.
The elder stateman appealed to Governor Agbu to respect the decision of Kuteb kingmakers who have already selected Prince Rimamnyang Habu Ahmadu as the crown Prince to succeed Late, Ukwe Ali Ibrahim Ahmadu who died in 1996.
Our correspondent however gathered that the Kuteb elites in Abuja have already petitioned President Ahmed Bola Tinubu and the national security adviser to hold Governor Agbu Kefas responsible should there be any breakdown of law and order in Takum local government area of Taraba State.
All efforts by our correspondent to get the reaction of the Special Assistant to the Governor on media, Hon. Emmanuel Bello proved abortive as he declined to comment on the matter.

Politics

Gov AbdulRazaq inspects multistorey hospital in Ilorin

Published

6 hours ago

August 11, 2025

Our Reporter

Says states spending on people-focused projects

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has inspected ongoing construction work at the multistorey Oluremi Tinubu Hospital in Ilorin, the state capital, a few days after he approved N20bn additional funding for statewide public school infrastructure in the State.

In an interview with reporters at the site, the Governor said the hospital project is one of his administration’s investments in public health, education, road networks, and social investment across various demographies.

Last Tuesday, the Governor inspected different rural road projects in Asa Local Government, including 23.23 kilometres Oko Olowo Express-Sokoto-Tafatafa-Elere-Owode Oja Baba Kudu-Akopari-Otte Oja road and 17.7km Madi Peeke road.

Governor AbdulRazaq said the government has constructed many roads within and outside the capital city Ilorin, while many others are ongoing.

He said that many other states of the federation are also doing well in project execution, citing massive hospital projects in Lagos, Kaduna, and many other states.

He tied the surge in project executions across the states, including in road, school, and health sectors, to the rise in allocation that followed the removal of fuel subsidy,commending President Bola Tinubu for his support for the state.

The Governor said: “The First Lady of Nigeria Senator Oluremi Tinubu was here six months ago to lay the foundation of this world-class hospital.

“And work has progressed tremendously. Hopefully, in the second quarter of next year, we’ll be done with it. The majority of the equipment have been ordered already: radiography machine, a CT scanner, MRI, PET scan machines, and all sorts of equipment have been ordered.”

He added that the administration is also working on other projects, including in other parts of the state such as the International Conference Centre, ICT Centre Shonga, Patigi (Regatta) Motel, Sheabutter Factory in Kaiama, and Ibrahim Taiwo Road in Offa.

“This is not the only thing going on in the state. We have other major infrastructure projects ongoing, and this is not just in terms of healthcare all over Nigeria,” he said.

“A lot of infrastructural projects are also going on in different states of the federation. We were recently in Kaduna with the President to commission a hospital (built by the Kaduna State Government).

“Lagos State is building a huge hospital (New Massey Clinic), I believe, children’s hospital. Katsina is doing the same. So, all over the country, healthcare has been improved by the sub-nationals. All this is due to the increased funding from the federal revenue.

“Work will continue in all other major aspects. What people see majorly is road infrastructure, but in terms of education, a lot of investments are going on. I have recently approved another N20bn spending on education infrastructure. Education is not part of what you call a low-hanging fruit. So people don’t quickly see investments in that. They mostly only see investments in roads. But a lot is going on in agriculture and other sub sectors. And we’ll continue to do more and deepen investment in all these areas.

“For example, if you go to Kwara South, we’ve done the Oro to Arandun Road. Ajase-Ipo to Oke Ode is still ongoing, done in phases. We’ve done Omu-Aran to Oko. We have done Orisa Bridge along Oro-Ago. We are doing the road to Owu waterfall as well. We’ve done road in Offa. We’re also about to do the Ilemona bypass, among others.”

End

Politics

Kwara Artisans hail AbdulRazaq’s empowerment for members

Published

5 days ago

August 7, 2025

Our Reporter

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

Kwara State Artisan Congress has acknowledged the consistent support that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has extended to the body since 2019, saying he has been with them at all times.

The body said their members have repeatedly benefitted from the government’s social investment scheme, and such support accounted for how they secured their permanent secretariat, which is under construction.

In a remark at their meeting which the Governor briefly attended in Ilorin, Chairman of the Congress Alhaji Jimoh Adesina said the government has done a lot to improve the socio-economic lives of Kwarans, particularly the business community.

On the Governor’s entourage were the Commissioner for Works, Engr Abdulquawiy Olododo; Senior Adviser and Counsellor, Alhaji Saadu Salau; Special Adviser on Special Duties, Alhaji AbdulRazaq Jiddah; and Senior Special Assistant on Religion (Islam), Alhaji Ibrahim Danmegoro; among others.

Adeshina said they owed the purchase of the land for their Secretariat to the support from the Governor.

He requested a continual support of the government for the Congress, particularly in the area of employment opportunities and mobility aides, among other demands.

The Governor, for his part, said the administration will continue to prioritize the welfare of Kwarans, including their members through various social programmes.

He promised to look into their requests, including the completion of their Secretariat.

The Governor said the Artisans and other segments of the society will always benefit from the social programmes, saying he is committed to strengthening legitimate business and initiatives.

The meeting was also attended by BoT Chairman for Artisan Congress, Alhaji Abdulwaheed Idowu; Alangua Gaa-Akanbi, Alhaji Abdulyekeen Usman Akanbi; Lady Vice Chairman of the Association, Chief Mrs Atoyebi Olayinka; among other leaders of the community and the Association.

End

Politics

IN DEFENCE OF SHETTIMA OVER ALLEGED NEPOTISM.

Published

5 days ago

August 7, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Dr. Umar Duhu

As I perused the article published on August 4, 2025, I was taken aback by the blatant fabrications and mischievous reporting designed to malign the character and reputation of Vice President Kashim Shettima GCON.
As a concerned citizen and a member of the APC, I feel compelled to set the record straight and correct the misleading narrative perpetuated by the article, which is nothing short of a calumny.

It is imperative to correct the misleading assertion that Vice President Kashim Shettima channeled resources to other states in the North East region during the 2023 elections. In reality, the APC emerged victorious in only Borno State in the North East, rendering the claim of resource allocation to other states in the region patently false. This error betrays a fundamental misunderstanding of the electoral dynamics of the North East Region, which is a clear manifestation of ignorance of the pertinent facts.

The article’s claims of nepotism and marginalization are unfounded and lack concrete evidence. The accusations made by certain APC chieftains from the North East region are politically motivated and driven by personal interests, which is a classic case of mens rea. It is surprising that the authors of the article failed to provide any credible evidence to support their claims, relying instead on hearsay and unsubstantiated allegations, which is a clear breach of the principles of audi alteram partem.

A cursory examination of the North East Development Commission (NEDC) Establishment Act of 2017 reveals that the Act does not mandate the rotation of the Managing Director and CEO position among the six North East states. In fact, Section 10 (1) and (2) of the NEDC Act provides that the Managing Director shall be appointed by the President and shall hold office for a term of four years, renewable for only one further term of four years. Therefore, the allegations of Shettima’s interference in the NEDC are baseless and demonstrate a clear misunderstanding of the Commission’s Governing Statutes, which is a manifest error.

Moreover, it is essential to correct the misleading narrative that Vice President Shettima is responsible for appointments. The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, not the Vice President, makes all appointments, as enshrined in Section 147 (1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). This fundamental fact has been conveniently ignored in the article, revealing a lack of understanding of the constitutional roles and responsibilities of the Office of the Vice President.

Contrary to the allegations of nepotism, the Office of the Vice President has a diverse team with appointments reflecting the federal character of Nigeria. In fact, several persons appointed in the Office of the Vice President are not from Borno State or the North East region. They are not even from the same faith with the Vice President. This demonstrates the commitment to inclusivity and diversity, and belies the claims of nepotism and favouritism, which are nothing short of a mere canard.

The article’s assertion that Vice President Shettima replaced other NEDC Commissioners and Appointees from across the region with individuals loyal to him is a gross exaggeration. The changes made to the NEDC leadership were done in accordance with established procedures and protocols, and were intended to enhance the Commission’s effectiveness and efficiency, which is a legitimate exercise of the powers conferred on the President by the NEDC Act.

It is apparent that the article’s authors are attempting to create a false narrative to support their own political agendas. The ADC party’s desperation to gain traction in the North East region is evident in this malicious report, which seeks to exploit ethnic and regional sentiments for political gain, a clear case of argumentum ad hominem.

I urge the public to disregard this baseless and mischievous article, as it is nothing but a desperate attempt to try to discredit the Vice President Kashim Shettima and create unnecessary tension within the APC. I also call on the authors of the article to retract their false claims and apologize for their malicious and defamatory statements, else, history will not be kind to them and their cohorts.

Umar D. Duhu, LLM, Ph.D.
galadimadluku@gmail.com