28 Years After, Governor Kefas Appoints New Chief Of Takum

Taraba State governor, Agbu Kefas, has appointed Barr. Sopiya Gboshi as the first class chief of Takum to replace Ukwe Takum.

The stool has been vacant since 1996 when the Ukwe Takum, Amadu Ali, died.
The stool remained vacant due to the tussle for it between the ruling class of Kuteb, the Jukun and Chamba tribes.

The ensuing crisis led to the killing of hundreds of persons while property worth millions of naira were destroyed.

Earlier in February 2024, the governor in his move to resolve the age-long tussle presented a bill to the state House of House Assembly, requesting for the stool to be addressed as Chief of Takum.
He also sought that the stool should be rotated among the three clans (Kuteb, Jukun and Chamba).

The bill was subsequently passed into law by the legislature.

The governor through a new gazette as approved by the House of Assembly appointed two 3rd class chiefs in Takum. Uhwe Bala Ephraim was appointed as the 3rd class chief of Jukun Takum while Barr. Sopiya Gboshi was appointed as the 3rd class chief of Chamba Takum.

The Kutebs refused to present any candidate to be installed in the process, accusing the governor of attempting to cleanse the dynasty of their culture.

The coronation of the two chiefs took place at about 11:15 pm at Executive Chambers of Government House, Jalingo, a few minutes after the presentation of staff of office to the chiefs on Monday.
The governor elevated Barr. Sopiya Gboshi from 3rd class to 1st class chief of Takum to fill in the vacancy created by the death of Ukwe.

At the event, Governor Kefas said the idea behind the rotation of the 1st class chief among the three clans was to bring lasting solution to the “senseless killings and destruction of properties over the stool in Takum.”

In their reaction to the installation of the chief of Takum, Kuteb Nyantso, the umbrella body of Kuteb worldwide condemned the exercise, stating that “Kuteb will never recognise Gboshi as the 1st class chief of Takum.”

The president Kuteb Nyantso, Mr Emmanuel Ukwen, who addressed journalists in Jalingo on the development said the matter is in court of law and therefore any action taken by the governor outside the court judgement would not be accepted by the Kuteb.

“The matter has been before the state high court. Yesterday, the judge hurriedly heard the case and passed its judgement. The same day, the governor presented staff of office to the chiefs in the middle of the night.

“It has never been done that way in the history of chieftaincy matters in Taraba State. We have instructed our lawyer to appeal the kangaroo judgement. For now, we have our Ukwe Takum who we have appointed through traditional rituals by name Rimanyaw Habu. Till he dies, we cannot accept any other chief of Takum,” Ukwen stated.