The Benue State Government and the Hausa community in the state have disagreed over plans by the Hausa community to install a Sardauna in the ancient Otukpo.
It was gathered that the Hausa community had concluded plans to install one Balla Bello Muhammed as the Sardauna, Otukpo.
The coronation, it was learnt, had been fixed for February 2021 with dignitaries from the northern part of the country already penciled down for invitation.
But it was gathered that the planned installation of Sardauna had started to generate controversy as indigenes said it was a ploy to islamise the town and Idomaland in general.
On Saturday, a group, Idoma Heritage, warned the Hausa community against introducing an alien stool in its domain.
The group, through its president, Ocheyinu Ogidi, vowed that the coronation would never hold.
Ogidi said, “Warning to those planning to disturb the peace of Otukpo and the entire Idomaland. The only chief we have in Otukpo, apart from Ochi’doma, is Ocho’tukpo in the person of HRH Ocho’tukpo Oduh, Chief Dr. John Eyimonye.
“This is your intention and we are stern on this warning; it cannot happen now or in generations to come. All Idoma sons and daughter, please note and be on alert.”
In reaction to the development, the Benue State Government ordered that the planned Sardauna installation be suspended.
The Press Secretary to the Benue State Deputy Governor, Benson Abounu, said in a statement that the state government had already reached out to the leader of the Hausa community in Otukpo, Alhaji Mamuda.
He said, “And we have informed him that there is nothing like Sardauna Otukpo in the Benue State Chieftaincy Laws of 2016. Accordingly, the Deputy Governor directed Alhaji Mamuda to call off the intended coronation and he accepted to comply forthwith.”
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