No fewer than six princes are jostling for the Long Kwo stool following the move by the Plateau State government to have all vacant traditional stools in the state occupied.
Those in the race include Ambassador Yahaya Kwande, Colonel Fidelis S. Attahiru, Larry Peters Bawa, Cornelius Shekarau, Danlami Nkup, and John Aloko among others.
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Benue/Plateau Trust gathered that Yahaya Kwande was selected the Long Kwo in 1989 and was to be installed on March 3, 1990, but a court order stopped the process following a case instituted by some of the princes. The court later nullified the selection, saying that the process was faulty.
When contacted, Kwande confirmed that he is still a contender of the stool. He said he had learnt that the government was preparing to fill the vacant seat describing it as a good development.
“Whoever wins the title, we will respect our traditional institution, support and obey him,” he said
Steven Ibrahim Sarki, also confirmed being a contender to the stool and expressed happiness over government’s decision to install a new traditional ruler of the chiefdom, explaining that the success of the selection would bring discipline in the community and their culture would be respected. “We will embrace whoever emerges as the new Long Kwo.’’
Kwo Chiefdom is located in Qua’an-Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The Long Kwo stool, which is rated as 2nd class, became vacant in July 1988, following the death of the last occupant of the seat, Miskoom Hoomkwap Sule II.
From 1988 to date, attempts were made to have the stool occupied without success, as a result of court cases, lack of quorum by the kingmakers during the selection process or the persistent disagreements between the princes on method to be adopted in the selection.
The situation left Kwo Chiefdom and its component villages of Bakin Ciyawa, Kurgwi, Npap among others, without a chief for about 33 years now.
Recently, the youths in the area, protested against the delay in the appointment of a chief for the kingdom.
Benue/Plateau Trust reports that the outcome of the selection will be significant because it will give the people a sense of joy and peace as well as create a united family.
Kwo Chiefdom is predominantly an agricultural area, which attracts many people from within and outside the local government.
