The leadership of the Kuteb ethnic group in Takum local government council of Taraba state, have again announced that the Ukwe Takum traditional stool is not a commodity for trade.
The group who made this known on Monday in a statement made available to journalists in Jalingo, alleged that lack of ascension to the throne, several years after the demised of the last monarch, was the reason for laxity and lack of commitment to the parts of the past State governors.
Signed by Fili Ande, the elders forum from the state who resides in the Federal Capital Territory, expressed sadness that despite recommendations by a series of committees of enquiries that the paramount throne of Ukwe Takum is an exclusive preserve of Kuteb, the government has not deemed it fit to allow the ethnic group fill the vacant stool.
The group who went ahead to announce that they have “successfully” identified a crown prince for the vacant stool, intimated President Bola Tinubu, the Inspector General of Police, IGP, the leadership of the Council of Chiefs and all relevant authorities of the peaceful selection of the crown prince and process of installing him as the Ukwe Takum.
“The Kuteb people are happy to announce that finally, the ancestors have spoken, the crown prince has been identified and the Ukwe Takum has, therefore, been selected according to Kuteb culture and tradition.
He has undergone all the basic rites of ascension to the paramount throne of Ukwe Takum and has since been enthroned. We are pleased to say he has come to stay.” The statement read.
Stressing that the tradition and culture of a people transcends government and cannot be modified, exchanged or erased, the kuteb people, according to the group, are happy to announce that finally, the ancestors have spoken, the crown prince has been identified and the Ukwe Takum has, therefore, been selected according to Kuteb culture and tradition, affirming that tradition is the right and identity of a people and their exclusive preserve.
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They emphatically announced that “ the throne of the paramount Ukwe Takum is not a commodity for trade.”
Arguing that Kuteb traditions and culture cannot be mixed with any other culture or tradition or adulterated by any alien ideology or self-serving interest, tradition, according to them, is the right and identity of a people and their exclusive preserve.
They admonished the state governor, Dr Agbu Kefas, not to bow to any parochial interest outside Kuteb culture and tradition.
The traditional stool in question, as noticed by The Trumpet, has remained vacant for 26 years since the passing of Ukwe Ali Ibrahim Kuffang II.
