By Godwin Tyonongu
Controversy has continued to trail the royal seat of Mararaba town in Karu local government area of neighbouring Nasarawa state, following the recent call by an indigene, Chief Magaji Lucky, for a substantive royal father of Mararaba in honour of a High Court ruling.
Magaji in an exclusive interview with Blueprint laid claim to the title of Chief of Mararaba, saying that one Allah Yayi currently parading himself as the chief of the area, was doing so illegally, but that he had been silent only to allow peace to reign until the right thing was done.
He said: “The governor himself, Tanko Al-Makura, knew about the case and after digging out the facts, plus the court ruling, he ordered that I, Magaji, be coronated by the paramount traditional ruler, Pharm. Luka.
“The ministry of local government and chieftaincy affairs is also aware that I am supposed to have been coronated by now. When the governor visited Mararaba recently to commission a road project, I and the district head of Uke received him in my place. The Etsu Karu is the one delaying the whole process.
“Some elite have been disturbing me that they would protest but I didn’t want anything that will break down peace in the area; because once they start the peaceful demonstration in Mararaba, it can spill over to the FCT and become a riot. They will coronate me and pay me all my entitlements for the past years that they have not been paying me despite court ruling.”
On his next line of action, Magaji said even though the court battle lasted for 20 years, he was patient till he won, adding that he would toe the line of peace and rule of law till he is coronated as the chief of Mararaba.
