Ruling Houses Battle Over Dari Chiefdom Stool In Nasarawa

Crisis is looming in the Dari chiefdom of Kokona local government area of Nasarawa State over the vacant stool of Sangarin Dari, whose occupant passed away recently.

The three ruling houses of Dari chiefdom, especially the Kuturi Kunka Ruling House, have accused some individuals and groups of persons in the government of trying to sabotage the selection process for the stool to suit their personal and selfish interests.

The stool of Sangarin Dari became vacant after the demise of Mr Joseph A. Angulu, who ascended the throne after the death of the first Sangarin Dari, Mr Madaki Yanki, who is from Kutiri Kunka Ruling House.

The ruling houses raised the alarm, alleging that the State Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, wants to pick the new Sangarin Dari from matrilineal instead of patrilineal heir apparent to the exalted stool.

Prince Engineer Lawrence Ada’a Dari (KSM), appealed to the state governor, Engineer Abdullahi A. Sule, to intervene in the matter.

and ensure that the appointment of the new Sangarin Dari follows due process.

Addressing newsmen in Lafia on behalf of the ruling house, Prince Engineer Lawrence, who is the Yeriman Dari and also a contestant for the vacant stool, said the late Sangarin Dari is not an heir apparent from any of the three ruling houses. As such, the government shouldn’t repeat the previous mistake.

“All we, as Ruling Houses and, in particular, Kuturi Kunka ruling house, are saying is that the government should give Caesar what belongs to him. We have three ruling houses, and the late Joseph A. Angulu doesn’t belong to any. He was imposed on our people by those in government, and we foresee the same process is about to repeat itself after his death.

“We are calling on His Excellency, the executive governor of Nasarawa State, Kokona local government, the member representing Kokona East Constituency at the Nasarawa State House of Assembly Hon. Daniel Oga Ogazi, His Royal Highness, Abaga Toni, Lawrence Ayih, Sangari Amba HRH. Matins Kure Abeshi and all authorities concerned in this matter to look at the way of paternal owners of the vacant stool, not maternal, it is a taboo and discretion of our traditional institution,” he said.

For his part, Prince Elijah A. Aso, who is also in the race for the vacant stool, was of the same opinion as his elder brother, accusing John Mamman of shopping for those who are not from the royal family to contest for the vacant stool of Sangarin Dari.

Reacting to the matter, the immediate past commissioner of education in the state, John W. Mamman, admitted that he is not from any of the royal houses of Dari chiefdom and is not in the race for Sangarin Dari.

“I am not in the race for Sangarin Dari because I am not from any of the royal families, but as a critical stakeholder, I have a say by advising on how things can be done and how it should be done,” he said.

According to him, Engineer Lawrence has lost contact with his people and doesn’t know the history of the royal families, adding that is why Lawrence is saying the late Sangarin Dari, Joseph Angulu, is not from any of the three ruling houses.

On his part, Hon. Raphael Dogara Sa’aka, a former member of the state assembly, dispels rumours making the rounds that he is also in the race for Sangarin Dari.

He called on all the contestants to the vacant stool to always contact their people and work towards developing the said chiefdom.

Our correspondent gathered that Dari Chiefdom was created in 2019 when Senator Tanko Al-Makura was the governor of Nasarawa State