Following the desire of the Plateau State Government to have all vacant traditional stools in the State to be occupied immediately, more communities are gearing up to meet up with the Government directives. One of such communities where there seems to be hope for the emergence of a new chief is the people of Kwo Chiefdom in Qua’an-Pan local Government Area of Plateau State.
The Long Kwo stool of 2nd Class status became vacant in July 1988, following the transition to glory of the last occupant of the seat, late Miskoom Hoomkwap Sule II.
From 1988 to date attempts were made to have the stool occupied without success, as a result of either court cases, lack of quorum by the kingmakers as a results of deaths as well as the persistent disagreements between the princes on methods to be adopted.
The situation left Kwo Chiefdom and its component villages of Turniang, Barkin Ciyawa, Kurgwi, Npap, etc ., without a chief for about 33 years now. The situation left many wondering what fate befalls Kwo Chief as children of 33 years have never known or see a Long Kwo in their life time.
No wonder, the youths in the area after persistent patient undertook a protest recently calling on the government to ensure the emergence and installation of a new Long Kwo.
Some of their inscription read during the protest read:
“Installation of LONG KWO, the panacea/solution to the repellent situation and tragedies in KWO CHIEFDOM” and
“A call to His Excellency RT. HON. BARR.(DR.) SIMON BAKO LALONG Plateau state Governor, for the need to install/”LONG KWO”.
It is believed that, the princes too are not at ease with the outburst of the people and are ready to do the needful. This follow their agreement to adopt situation on ground after the Government gave them another opportunity to select a new Long Kwo.
As the people await further directive, no less than 6 princes have indicated interest to occupied the stool.
Those in the race include Ambassador Yahaya Kwande, whose ambition of occupying the seat was thwarted by the court ruling following failure of procedure, and Colonel Fidelis S. Attahiru, a retired army officer and now a business man.
Also in the race for the stool of the Long Kwo are Miskoom Larry Peters Bawa, a business mogul and an Executive Director of
Duncan Group of Companies and
Chairman Lamebakena Properties, Ghana; Miskoom Cornelius Shekarau, a business man; Miskoom Danladi Nkup, retired journalist and farmer and Miskoom John Aloko, also a retired civil servant.
Others jostling for the stool are Miskoom Linus Layi Anden , the immediate past acting General Manager of Plateau Express Services Ltd; Miskoom Benedict Bamshal Mairiga, a medical doctor, with Miskoom John Hoomkwap and Miskoom Ibrahim Hoomkwap, children of the last Long Kwo, late Miskoom Hoomkwap Sule II.
The list is endless, but the outcome will be significant because it will give the people a sense of joy and peace as well as create a united family. It will also promote development because Kwo chiefdom covers a lot of vast area with abundance of resources .
Kwo Chiefdom is predominantly an agricultural area, which attracts many people from within and outside the Local Government.
As one of the Chiefdoms of Goemai origin of Kwararafa kingdom, it has four (4) ruling houses of Mpoema, Lakwaram, Kaskang and Nuku, with Attua (Ntuan) as the founder. Whoever emerges as the Long Kwo, he will become the 27th to occupy the seat.
