Council Dismisses Traditional Ruler’s Installation in Taraba
By Chuwang Dungs, Jalingo
The Ibi Traditional Council in Ibi Local Government Area of Taraba State, has accused the Tiv people in the locality of being mischievous in their claim of installing a Tiv traditional ruler in the area.
The traditional institution stated this on Monday, through the Secretary of the council, Nurudden Galadima, while reacting to claim that a substantive traditional head called Ter Tiv Ibi was elected.
Galadima in a press statement personally signed and made available to journalists in Jalingo said, “the recent publications circulating round on conventional and social media that the paramount ruler, the second class chief of Ibi, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Abubakar Salihu Danbawuro III gave approval for the instalment and crowning of one Japhet Iorapuur Mkar, as first substantive traditional head of Ter Tiv Ibi, in Ibi Local Government Area of the state was fake.
“The statement maintained that His Royal Highness, Alh Abubakar Salihu Danbawuro III has not at any given time gave any Tiv indigenes in Ibi his concent to be accorded with such highly traditional stool in any of ibi communities.
“The statement added that the fake exercise that followed the emergence of Zaki Japhet Mkar after it was said he defeated Zaki Akenawe Saameakpe in an open ballot contest was null and void.
The statement warned both elders of Ichongu and Ipuusu clans to adhere to the ban on installing or granting approval for the appointment of any chief in the land.
“I want all sons and daughters of Ibi, Taraba state and the public to note that there is no any substantive traditional head called Ter Tiv Ibi in Ibi Chiefdom.
“The public should further note that they will be no zoning of any form between the Ichongu, Nonguv, Ihyarev, Ugondu and Turan when there is no Tiv substantive traditional head of any kind,” the statement said.
The statement hinted that the Nonguv, Ihyarev Ugondu, and the Turan clans of Ichongu should stop parading themselves as kingmakers who voted for Japhet Lorapuur as Ter Tiv Ibi.
According to the statement, the Tiv people in Ibi should note that Zaki Japhet is not elevated by the Ibi traditional chiefdom as substantive traditional head of Ter Tiv Ibi as reported.
“Our paramount ruler, His Royal Highness, Alh Abubakar Salihu Danbawuro III for over two weeks has not been in Ibi, therefore using his name as a cover by the Japhet Mkar lorapuur and his purported Kingmakers was mischievous, misleading and unacceptable,” it said.
