Stakeholders from the Ron Chiefdom in Plateau State have rejected the proposed use of the 1974 Gazette as the basis for selecting a new Saf Ron, describing the move as outdated and potentially harmful to the legitimacy of the traditional institution.
The Ron Integrity Advocacy Group, representing elders, stakeholders, women and youths from the 11 districts of Ron Chiefdom, made the position known at a press briefing held on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Jos.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Chief Sunday J. Akuns, and Secretary, Hon. Chief Sylvanus M. Ayuba, the group appealed to Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang to urgently intervene in the ongoing selection process.
The group’s position followed an announcement reportedly made on Saturday, August 29, 2026, during a memorial Mass for the late Dah Lazarus Amashin Agai at St. Thomas Catholic Church, Bokkos.
According to the group, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, who represented the Commissioner at the event, announced that the government intended to proceed with the selection of the “Saf Ron-Kulere” based on the 1974 Gazette.
The stakeholders argued that applying the 1974 instrument without reviewing it against current realities could undermine the legitimacy and inclusiveness of the selection process.
One of their major concerns is the rotation clause between “Ron and Kulere,” which they said was created when the two areas constituted one chiefdom.
They argued that the basis for the rotation no longer exists following the creation of separate Kulere and Mushere chiefdoms.
The group also questioned the electoral college contained in the 1974 Gazette, which they said recognised only eight districts, compared with the 11 districts currently constituting Ron Chiefdom.
According to the stakeholders, relying on the old list could result in the inclusion of districts that are now under Kulere and Mushere Chiefdoms.
They further faulted the proposed process for failing to take into account the 2003 excision which, according to them, established Kulere and Mushere as separate chiefdoms.
The group consequently called on the Plateau State Government to convene an urgent stakeholders’ meeting to review the Baba S. G. Mafuyai Committee Report alongside relevant historical records.
They also demanded that the electoral college and selection process be updated to reflect the current 11 districts of Ron Chiefdom, insisting that the process should be guided by authentic Ron customs and traditions rather than administrative convenience or political considerations.
The stakeholders further called for the suspension of the current selection process until all historical and traditional questions surrounding the stool are properly resolved through consultation.
They warned that if the government insists on applying the 1974 Gazette in its entirety, then, for the sake of what they described as legal consistency, the excised Kulere and Mushere Chiefdoms would have to be dissolved.
“Our Cultural Heritage is not an Administrative Commodity, and the Saf Ron stool is not an experiment in outdated governance,” the group stated.
While stressing that it was seeking dialogue rather than confrontation, the Ron Integrity Advocacy Group urged Governor Mutfwang to personally intervene to prevent what it described as an irreversible and culturally damaging decision.
The group added that should the government proceed without addressing its concerns, it would pursue all lawful avenues to protect the integrity of the Ron traditional institution.
The statement was issued on behalf of elders, stakeholders, women and youths from the 11 districts of Ron Chiefdom.
