The issue surrounding the Ukwe of Takum stool has escalated, with the Kuteb youths forum vehemently opposing Governor Agbu’s plan to dismantle the traditional leadership structure.
Despite meetings with kingmakers, Kuteb elders, and the Kuteb youths themselves, Governor Agbu has maintained his stance, indicating that the rotation of the Ukwe Takum stool is part of his plan. He warned the Kuteb youths against causing trouble, stating that any unrest would be met with decisive military action.
In response, the Kuteb youths forum, through their spokesman Mr. Danjuma Rimamnde, reaffirmed their commitment to the traditional committee’s decision against the rotation of the Ukwe Takum stool. They emphasized the sacredness of traditional stools and their significance to the cultural heritage of the Kuteb tribe.
[blockquote align=”left” author=”Penci Design” style=”font-size: 30px”]To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it?[/blockquote]
The forum rejected Governor Agbu’s proposal to create three chiefdoms in Takum, viewing it as an attempt to undermine the existing Ukwe stool. They cited existing laws that provide legal backing to the traditional stool of Ukwe Takum and expressed concern that any attempt to alter its history would be unjust and confrontational to the Kuteb people as a whole.
The historical context of the Ukwe Takum stool reveals a longstanding tradition of succession within the Kuteb tribe. Despite attempts by previous governments to install individuals from different tribes, particularly the Chamba tribe, as successors to the stool, the Kuteb Yatso has consistently resisted such efforts, citing the preservation of their heritage.
The involvement of prominent figures like General TY Danjuma, a Chamba man from Takum, adds complexity to the situation, with some attributing the resistance to outside influences seeking to alter the traditional leadership structure.
The Kuteb elites in Abuja have escalated the matter further by petitioning President Ahmed Bola Tinubu and the national security adviser, holding Governor Agbu Kefas accountable for any potential breakdown of law and order in Takum local government area.
The standoff between Governor Agbu and the Kuteb youths underscores deep-rooted tensions surrounding traditional leadership and heritage preservation in Taraba State, with implications for governance and community relations in the region.
