Taraba state governor, Agbu Kefas, has prohibited the coronation of traditional rulers recently appointed by former governor Darius Ishaku’s administration.
Coronation of all district/village heads and title holders has been suspended indefinitely, according to the governor, pending further instructions.
The directive was issued just hours after a marathon security meeting with the state’s security chiefs and leaders of the Karimjo and Wurukum-speaking tribes, the two communities where at least 30 people were reportedly killed over the location of a third-class chief’s headquarters in the state’s Karim-Lamido local government area.
The governor warned in a circular signed by the permanent secretary of the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Babangida Hassan, that whoever engages in such activities would not be spared.
He said:
The attention of the state government has been drawn to the way and manner in which traditional rulers perform the coronation of district/village heads and title holders without due consultation and approval of the appropriate authority.
Most of these coronation programmes generate responses capable of breaking the peaceful coexistence of the people, the affected chiefdoms and the entire state.
Governor Agbu Kefas has therefore directed that all coronation programmes (be it that of district/village heads or title holders) should be suspended to avoid possible breakdown of law and order.
Where it has become necessary to perform such duties, permission must be sought and approval granted by the State government before the coronation of any person or group of persons.
The permanent secretary urged the traditional council in the state to ensure strict compliance to avoid further crisis.