The Kutep Peace Movement, a collective organisation representing the Kutep indigenes in Takum LGA of Taraba State, has announced its acceptance of the rotation of the First Class Chieftaincy stool of Takum.
During a press briefing in Takum on Sunday, Chief Danladi Rimande, the Coordinator of the group, emphasised the importance of peaceful resolution to the long-standing chieftaincy dispute in the area and the avoidance of violence.
Although the Ukwe TAKUM stool has remained vacant for decades, the recent renewed commitment by the Taraba State Government under the administration of Dr Agbu Kefas to install the First Class traditional ruler of Takum has led to an arrangement to rotate the stool among the Kuteb, Chamber, and Kpanzon people.
This has raised concerns and caused tension within the community, prompting the formation of the Kuteb Peace Movement.
Rimande called for dialogue with the government and stakeholders in Taraba over the Takum chieftaincy issue. He stressed that crises are never the best option for settling disputes and called on the Kuteb Nation to retreat home.
The Coordinator emphasized that the Kutebs, particularly those living in Takum, are not fighting the government or anybody and that the government must continue to assure them of their sincerity and inclusion in the affairs of Takum, both political and traditional, as they are the aborigines of the land.
He revealed that the Kuteb Peace Movement has consulted with its elders and stakeholders living in Takum and has come to a common ground.
They presented the following conditions to the government: the Kutebs living in Takum must be protected in their ancestral lands; there must be preservation of Kuteb cultural heritage, and the present Ukwe Takum palace must be handed over to the Kuteb Nation.
Other conditions include that the Kuteb festivals and traditional rituals will be allowed in Takum within the ambits of the law; Kutebs in civil service and political public offices must not be victimized, suppressed, or intimidated; and there should be fair political sharing of public offices in Takum Local Government.
Rimande also appealed to the government to expedite action towards the return of the displaced Kutep of Ussa who had been displaced by bandits back to their homes.
He called on the Taraba State Government to focus on how their people can return to their lands and settlements currently occupied by bandits.
In conclusion, Rimande urged the war-thirsty leaders and stakeholders who are mainly in Abuja and Jalingo to embrace peace and dialogue.
He emphasized that what peace and dialogue cannot resolve, war cannot achieve.
He acknowledged that the government meant well for all, and cited the prompt reconstruction of Ussa General Hospital and appointments of Kutebs sons and daughters into key government committees as evidence that the Agbu Kefas Administration is not out to undermine the Kuteb Nation.
It is worth noting that recently Governor Agbu Kefas approved the appointments of HRH Uhwe Bala Ephraim as 3rd-Class Chief (Tsohon Jukun Takum) and HRH Barr. Sopiya Ahmadu Gboshi III as 3rd-Class Chief (Gar Chamba Takum)
According to a statement signed by the State Commissioner of Information and Reorientation, Hon. Zainab Usman Jalingo on Tuesday, the 1st of March, 2024, these appointments serve to preserve the rich cultural heritage of Takum and promote community development.
She further noted that HRH Uhwe Bala Ephraim and HRH Barr. Sopiya Ahmadu Gboshi III bring a wealth of experience and demonstrated commitment to their community, respectively.
