Taraba Gov., Agbu Kefas threatens to dethrone traditional rulers

The Governor of Taraba State, Agbu Kefas, has ordered the immediate suspension of the alleged plans to coronate a monarch in Takum Local Government Council.

The directive comes barely a few hours after a group urged the governor and security operatives to stop the event from seeing the light of day in order to avoid a situation of lawlessness in the state.

Earlier in the week, there was news of a plan by some people to impose the title of Makama of Takum on the people of Takum chiefdom.

The Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, on Friday said the governor threatened to dethrone any monarch that indulged in such an act.

The directive, contained in a circular signed by the permanent secretary of the Bureau, Babangida Hassan, expressed sadness that despite the ban on coronation and appointment of village and district heads, some few persons had contrived to defy the directive.

Reports reaching the state government, according to the circular, “indicate that some traditional rulers in the state have continued to defy our circular No. GHJ/BLG&CA/S.260T dated 30th June 2023, and other previous circulars.”

The governor, who vowed not to condone such acts, believed that such a “trend of behaviour” portends imminent danger, adding that “it can serve as a remote or immediate cause of communal clashes leading to loss of lives and destruction of properties.”

“It is, therefore, against this backdrop that the government has further directed that no traditional ruler should contemplate the coronation or installation of any person or group of persons, without permission from the state government,” the circular stated.

Whoever does the contrary, as clearly stated in the circular, “may be punished severely, including dethronement.”