Yangdang Youths accuse Lau Council Chair of victimization, seek for Gov. Kefas’ intervention
By our reporter
The Yangdang Youths, under the aegis of Yandang Youth Development Congress (YYDC) has accused the Chairman of Lau Local Government Council, Hon Nigeria Jatau of colluding with some politicians to humiliate and undermine the Sanwi Chiefdom in particular and Yandang Community in general. Consequently, they appealed to the Taraba State Governor, His Excellency Dr. Agbu Kefas intervene in the unfortunate situation.
This was contained in a press release signed the YYDC President General, Comrade Yeri Akila Yerima and made available to Worldview Magazine.
“We are writing to bring to the attention of the Governor of Taraba State, Dr. Agbu Kefas, our profound concerns as community representatives, regarding the humiliation inflicted upon our community by certain politicians who collaborated to undermine the Sanwi Chiefdom and Yandang Community.
“Your Excellency, the Yandang Youth Development Congress (YYDC) has publicly accused Hon. Nigeria Jatau, Executive Chairman of Lau Local Government Area, of deliberately undermining the Sanwi Chiefdom and frustrating community development initiatives in Yandang land, purportedly serving the interests of greedy politicians.”
The release reads in part.
The group expressed deep concern over the indefinite postponement of a highly anticipated traditional turbaning ceremony organized by the Sanwi Chiefdom under the leadership of His Royal Highness, Pastor Dr. Haniel Hinlewheni Banti.
According to the release, the was scheduled for Saturday, July 26, 2025, aimed to honour illustrious sons , daughters and distinguished personalities who are friends of the Chiefdom and have contributed greatly to the progress of the community, but was abruptly stopped following a letter signed by Hamman Adama Adamu on behalf of Hon. Jatau on July 25, 2025—less than 24 hours to the event.
This sudden cancellation, it added, not only disrupted months of planning but also caused significant financial losses to the community and individuals involved.
The YYDC further accused Hon. Jatau of conspiring with his paymasters to issue the letter, falsely claiming that the directive originated from His Excellency Dr. Agbu Kefas through the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, with the intention of frustrating the planned turbaning ceremony.
“We are accusing him of hypocrisy and double standards, because he had recently accepted a traditional title, as Danmadamin Lau from the Chief of Lau, HRH Sadiq Damburam, on March 30, 2025. This act, contradicts his justification for stopping the Sanwi turbaning, which he claims was based on a directive from the Governor of Taraba State, that Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs has banned Traditional and Chieftaincy titles in all the chiefdoms in Lau LGA, dated February 19, 2025, but the circular was specifically against the installation of Districts and Village heads, not traditional and Chieftaincy titles.”
“If the letter applies to Sanwi, why did it not apply to order Chiefdoms and his own turbaning?” the group queried.
The Congress also accused the Chairman of marginalizing Yandang youths in his administration and frustrating all community-led projects. One such project includes the effort by residents of Didango Rhobi to collaborate with the Nigeria Police to establish a police outpost, which was allegedly blocked by the Chairman.
The YYDC emphasized the historical loyalty and support of the Yandang people to the PDP and all Taraba State Governors since 1999, including their strong participation in the 2023 general elections. It therefore appealed to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Taraba State, to intervene and address the perceived injustice.
“We urge our members to remain calm and law-abiding. No one should take the law into their own hands,” the statement concluded.
“We sincerely apologize to the organizers and the dignitaries who were to be honored. Your efforts and commitment to the community are deeply appreciated.”
The press release stated.
