From Eleojo Samuel Adaji,Jalingo
The Secretary to Ibi Traditional Council in Ibi Local Government Area of Taraba state, Alhaji Nurudden Hassan Galadima has denied knowledge of any form of traditional title called “Ter Tiv Ibi” in Ibi Local Government Area of Taraba state.
Galadima in a press statement signed and made available to Journalists in Jalingo on Monday said the recent publications being circulated round on conventional and social media on the purported installation of one Japhet Lorapuur Mkar as Ter Tiv Ibi as ellien to Ibi Traditional Council.
The Secretary of the council said that the Chief of Ibi, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Abubakar Salihu Danbawuro III, a second class ruler of Ibi did not give approval for the installation or crowning of any Ter Tiv Ibi, in Ibi Local Government Area as claimed by a section of people in Ibi.
“I want tell you categorically that the Chief of Ibi , Alhaji Abubakar Salihu Danbawuro III has not at any time given approval for any Tiv indigene in Ibi local government area to be installed as Ter Tiv Ibi. The statement added.
The Secretary noted that the purported election that followed the emergence of Zaki Japhet who was said to have defeated one Zaki Akenawe Saameakpe in an open ballot contest was fake, null and void.
“I want you to know that no traditional ruler is allowed to give approval for any installation of any form of Chief or a traditional ruler without the approval of the Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas so the Ibi traditional Council disassociate herself from the said installation of Ter Tiv in Ibi Local Government.
The statement warned both elders of Ichongu and Ipusu clans to adhere to the ban on installing or granting approval for the appointment of any chief in the local government.
“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.
And the public should further note that there 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 further warned 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 .///.
