By Terna Chikpa, Jalingo
The Tiv traditional council Taraba State, on Saturday said it will handover any impostor parading himself as a traditional leader, to law enforcement agencies for prosecution.
Zaki David Gbaa, the (Gun Begha U Tiv), and Chairman Taraba state Tiv Traditional Council, disclosed the decision during the coronation of Ter Wukari, Ter Ibi and Ter Karim-Lamido Local Government Areas in Jalingo.
Zaki Gbaa decried the situation where some persons were parading themselves as traditional leaders without the recognition of the Tiv traditional council as well as Tiv Cultural and Social Association Taraba state. He described such individuals as imposters, call on them to desist, as such action was capable of creating unrest, noting that those found would be handed over to the security agencies.
Our correspondent reports that the Taraba state Tiv Traditional umpire coronated, Zaki, John Aondona Ikyo as Ter Wukari, Zaki, Japhet Iorapuu Mkar as Ter Ibi and Zaki, Calvin Torligyom as Ter Karim-Lamido local governments.
The Tiv traditional umpire in Taraba also passed a vote of confidence in the President-General, Tiv cultural and social association, chief James Baka. It described the publication by a group claimed to be Ucha-Sub Clan of Ukum, against the President-General as handiwork of mischief makers staged to create unhealthy situation against peace among Tiv in the state.
“The Tiv Traditional Council of Taraba State wishes to categorically reject the
purported vote of no confidence passed by the Ucha-Sub Clan of Ukum against the President-General of the Tiv Cultural and Social Association (TCSA), Chief James Chihi Baka. We consider this move as unconstitutional, baseless, and a deliberate attempt to destabilise the unity of the Tiv people.
“We wish to also call on people parading themselves as traditional leaders in some local government without the authority of the Tiv Traditional council Taraba, to desist or face prosecution by the security agencies.
“As the custodians of Tiv culture and tradition, we wish to state unequivocally that no single clan or sub-clan has the authority to unilaterally remove the President General of the TCSA. The Ucha-Sub Clan lacks such powers, and their action is not recognized by the Tiv traditional leadership.
“The so-called vote of no confidence is a joke taken too far. We warn those attempting to create
confusion within the Tiv leadership to desist from such an unthinkable act. The public should disregard this baseless claim, as it is an orchestrated attempt by unscrupulous elements seeking to
sow division and disrupt the peace among the Tiv people.
“The Council also wish to debunk the allegations that Chief
Baka was responsible for the chieftaincy disputes in Wukari and ibi Local government.
“We want to make it clear that the selection of Tiv traditional leaders in these areas followed due process, and was conducted by kingmakers in accordance with Tiv custom.
“We wish to use this opportunity to reaffirm our unwavering support for Governor Agbu Kefas,
whose leadership has been inclusive and beneficial to the Tiv people. We wish to warn against any attempt to undermine the peace efforts of the governor, as we will not allow individuals with selfish interests to derail the collective progress of the Tiv people,” Zaki Gbaa stated.
Speaking on behalf of the coronated traditional leaders, the Ter Karim-Lamido, Zaki, Calvin Torligyom, solicited for cooperation to build the desirous unity among Tiv’s in Taraba.
The newly coronated traditional leaders pledged to ensure fairness and peace in their domain, without segregation of clanner affiliation.
