Kuteb traditional stool: Groups engage in war of words over government’s position

The leadership of the Kuteb Peace Movement, KPM, in Takum Local Government Council of Taraba State, has accused Kuteb Yatso of Nigeria, KYN, of fomenting war in Takum.

Both groups have been trading words over the position of the state government on the chieftaincy stool of the Takum Local Government Council. While KPM is backing the government’s decision to rotate the stool among the three major tribes in the council, KYN opposes the move.

In a statement made available to journalists on Tuesday in Jalingo, KPM, led by its coordinator, Musa Rimande Danladi, frowned at KYN’s position to distance itself from the decision of the indigenous Kutebs living in Takum to embrace dialogue and peace in the interest of everyone.

“The world should know that many prominent Kutebs and those in our villages have chosen peace and dialogue over KYN’s approach to engaging the government. Our people want peace. We are engaging more people; very soon our voice will be louder than those calling for war,” KPM said in the statement.

The group added: “We would never allow anyone, including KYN leaders, to destroy our heritage. Posterity and generations unborn will never forgive us if we choose war against dialogue and peace.”

KYN, the umbrella body of Kuteb worldwide, under the leadership of Emmanuel Ukwen, has, however, dismissed KPM as a faceless group.