Crisis looms over vacant stool of Sangarin Dari in Nasarawa
By DANJUMA JOSEPH, Lafia –
Crisis is looming in Dari chiefdom of Kokona Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, over the vacant stool of Sangarin Dari, who passed away recently.
The three ruling houses of Dari chiefdom, especially Kuturi Kunka Ruling House, has accused some individuals and group of persons who are in government trying to sabotage the selection process to the stool to suit their personal and selfish interests.
The stool of Sangarin Dari, became vacant as a result of the demised of Mr Joseph A. Angulu, who ascended the throne afer the dead 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.
One of the prominent sons of Kuturin Kunka Ruling House, Prince Engineer Lawrence Ada’a Dari (KSM), fnse, fnice appealed to the state Governor, Engineer Abdullahi A. Sule, to intervene in the matter and ensure that the appointment of new Sangarin Dari follows the due process.
Addressing newsmen in Lafia on behalf of the ruling house, Prince Engineer Lawrence, who is the Yeriman Dari and also a constant of the vercant stool, said the late Sangarin Dari, is not a heir apparent from any of the three ruling houses, as such the previous mistake shouldn’t be repeated by government.
“All we, as Ruling Houses and in particular Kuturi Kunka Ruling House are saying is that government should give to Ceaser what belongs to him. We have three ruling houses and the late Joseph A. Angulu, doesn’t belonged 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 authority concerned in this matter to look at the way of parternal owners of the vacant stool, not maternal, it is a taboo and discretion of our traditional institution” he said.
On his part, Prince Elijah A. Aso, who is also in the race for the vacant stool, was of the same opinion with his elder brother, accusing John Mamman, of shopping for those who are not from the royal families 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 he 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 the way it should be done” he said
According to him Engineer Lawrence, has lost contact with his people and he don’t know the history of the royal families, that’s why, ‘he 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 rounds that he is also in the race for Sangarin Dari.
He called on all the contestants to the vacant stool to always get in touch with their people geared towards the development of the said chiefdom.
Our correspondent gathered that Dari Chiefdom was created in 2019 when Senator Tanko Al-Makura was the governor of Nasarawa State