Rédaction Africa Links 24 with George Kaduna
Published on 2024-02-24 09:49:40
The Taraba State House of Assembly recently passed a bill aimed at resolving a 28-year conflict over a traditional stool in the Takum Local Government Area of the state. The bill, titled “Establishment of One Rotational 1st Class Chief and Three (3) 3rd Class Chiefs Bill, 2024,” was introduced by Governor Agbu Kefas’ administration.
During the House’s Committee of the Whole meeting, chaired by Deputy Speaker Hamanadama Abdullahi, the decision to pass the bill was made after deliberations on the report from the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. The new law establishes one Rotational First Class Chief and three 3rd Class Chiefs within the Kuteb, Chamba, and Jukun Takum ethnic groups in Takum.
The proposal of the bill elicited various opinions from stakeholders, particularly the Kuteb ethnic group, who claimed exclusive rights to the Takum traditional stool. Governor Kefas sponsored the bill to bring an end to the longstanding leadership dispute in Takum, marked by disputes and controversies for over two decades.
A public hearing was well-attended by lawmakers and stakeholders, allowing contributions to the bill, ultimately leading to its passage. The member representing Mbanga State Constituency and Chairman of the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Abel Diah, submitted the committee’s report, urging the immediate passage of the bill to resolve the traditional stool controversy.
During the public hearing, support for the bill was expressed by several groups and individuals, except for the Kutebs who opposed it, viewing it as an infringement on their heritage. Organizations such as the Taraba State Council of Chiefs, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Jukun Takum, Chamba Takum, and the Ministry of Justice voiced their support for the bill to end the chieftaincy rivalry in Takum.
In response to concerns raised during the public hearing, the committee removed the title of Kuru Takum and amended it to Chief of Takum, accommodating all ethnic groups in the area and alleviating fears of marginalization. The lawmaker emphasized the importance of the bill in fostering development and addressing the concerns of the local community once it becomes law.
The passing of the bill by the 10th Assembly is considered a significant step towards resolving the conflict in Takum and fostering peace and development in the region. The lawmaker expressed optimism that the legislation would bring about positive changes and put an end to agitation regarding traditional issues, promoting peace in the locality.
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