BY ADEYEMI AKANJI, BAUCHI – Irked by the attack on the Emirs of Bauchi and Dass by yet to be identified hoodlums in Tafawa Balewa last Friday, youths of the Bauchi Emirate on Tuesday staged a peaceful protest at the palace calling on the Emir, Dr Rilwanu to immediately suspend the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara as a traditional title holder of the Emirate.
The youths, who carried placards with different inscriptions such as ‘Dogara is a disaster’, ‘No more Dogara in Bauchi’ among others also chanted unprintable words against the person of the former Speaker who is currently representing Bogoro /Dass /Tafawa Balewa Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, adding that he is not fit and proper to continue to hold the title of “Jakadan Bauchi”.
Spokesperson of the youths, Comrade Nurudeen Yau Gwabba told Journalists that the call became necessary considering the humiliation meted on the Emirs of Bauchi and Dass by hoodlums from Bogoro and Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area last week Friday on their way to attend a function.
According to Gwabba; “We are proud of the Emir of Bauchi, moreso, he is the Chairman of the State Council of Traditional Rulers. What was done to him was a huge humiliation. As a traditional title holder of the Emirate, Yakubu Dogara should have averted it.
“Youths of the Emirate will not just sit down, fold their arms and watch the ill treatment of our Emirs, who are fathers of all irrespective of ethno-religious inclination. We are therefore calling on the Bauchi Emirate to as a matter of urgency, suspend his traditional title of Jakadan Bauchi,” he said.
Similarly, the Coalition of Youths and Students of Bauchi State has called on the Bauchi State Government to initiate a judicial commission of inquiry to investigate the sad event that took place on Friday, December 31, 2021 in Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro Local Government Areas that led to attack on the Emirs of Bauchi and Dass by hoodlums hoping that the culprits will be brought before a court to face the law.
The coalition said the sad event took place following allegations of Dogara’s resistance against the said memorial where he tried to put a stop to the program by breaching protocol and writing directly to the IGP while bypassing the state Police Commissioner, DSS and the State Governor who doubles as the Chief Security Officer of the state.
The Coalition in a press statement by its Chairman, Ambassador Usman Saleh further states; “Proactively, we cannot afford to return to those sad days of ethnic crises in Bauchi state as the 1991 Tafawa Balewa crises is still fresh in our memories. We are urging the state government to take serious action against him as no individual is bigger than the state”.
While receiving the youths at his Palace, the Emir of Bauchi, Dr Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu appealed for calm and advised the youths to control their anger and not let it get out of control to lead to reprisal attacks.
Dr Adamu, who was represented by the Ajiyan Bauchi, Alhaji Abubakar Bala Ajiya assured that the Emirate Council will look into their demands and make its position public in due course.
Meanwhile, Stakeholders from Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro Local Government Areas have also condemned the attack on the convoys of the Emirs of Bauchi and Dass by suspected hoodlums.
The leader of the delegation Senator Adamu Ibrahim Gumba said that, they were at the Emir’s palace to commiserate with him over the attack on their convoy on the December 31, 2021 on the way for the commemoration of the 21st memorial anniversary, Book lunching and establishment of Baba Gonto Foundation in establishment of late Baba Peter Gonto.
In his own address, the national President of ZAAR Association, Mr. Isuwa Galla promised the Emir the ZAAR community will continue to be law-abiding citizens, and will continue to leave in peace with one another.
Responding, Dr. Adamu appreciated the delegation for the visit and assured the ZAAR and other notable Bogoro, Tafawa Balewa people of his total support towards ensuring lasting peace in all our communities.
