Mai Tangle: Gombe Government Is Averse To Restoration Of Peace – Tangale Elders

BY ADEYEMI AKANJI – In spite of the installation of a new Mai Tangle by the Gombe State Government, the controversy surrounding the issue is far from being over as the Tangale Elders Forum rose from a crucial meeting demanding that all their people want is the appointment and enthronement of DR Musa Idris Iliyasu Maiyamba, who was the duly elected and accepted Mai Tangle.

The Tangale elders noted that the guidelines as approved in accordance with the culture and tradition of the people were totally flouted, stressing that the State government took over the entire exercise instead of the King makers.

The elders also accused the state government of thwarting efforts of the people for the restoration of peace in Billiri Local Government, adding that Governor Inuwa Yahaya has remained insensitive to the plight of the people.

The Tangale Elders noted that from statements by Governor Yahaya, it is quite evident that he does not mean well for the Tangale people, stressing that it is important to remind the governor that he swore to an allegiance to protect the lives and properties of the entire people of Gombe State which include the Tangale people.

The Forum specifically demanded the immediate release of the District Head of Todi, whom they insisted was also arrested over unjustifiable and flimsy reasons.

The Forum which rose from a crucial meeting on March 22, 2021 said in a communique that; “One of the losers was smuggled into the Kingdom and was surreptitiously installed as the new ‘Mai Tangle”.

The communique signed by Agur Sankace A, Acting National President and Charles Iliya (Dan Ruwatan Tangale), noted that the presence of heavily armed security officers during the election of the Mai was uncalled for.

According to the communique; “Therefore, the people were highly intimidated by the presence of heavily armed security officers. It was a clear case of coercion.

“Non-elective Traditional Council leaders were absolutely denied access into the venue of the exercise. This is a negation of the standing procedure. They were denied their role of being observers. The agents of the candidate were not allowed at the venue”.

“The Tangale Elders Forum found it difficult to understand the type of Arithmetic of the State Government where two becomes greater or more than five.

“The arrest of our people up to 24 numbers by the State Government to Abuja and Gombe was an anathema. We believed a crisis like this takes two to tango, however the arrest was lopsided,” the Forum said.

The Tangale Elders decried the long duration of the curfew imposed on their people and demanded that the curfew should be completely lifted in order to allow their people, who are mainly Christians to observe the Easter celebration which is a major religious observance by the Christendom all over the world.

The communique further noted; “The Tangale Elders Forum wishes to use this opportunity to call on our people to be firmly united with one another. Our people should also be their brother’s keepers by being security conscious in whatever they are doing.

We appeal to our people to remain calm as the Tangale Elders Forum is restive for the sake of the Tangale nation”, the Forum appealed.

The Forum noted that the callous act unleashed on Billiri Town was alien to the people, adding that it is not in the character of Tangale indigene and their settlers with whom they have been co-existing peacefully since time immemorial.

It said that it is generally believed external forces/influence might have played a role in the unfortunate incident and therefore condemned in unequivocal terms the wanton destruction of economic facilities and some residential houses and extended its heartfelt sympathy to the victims.

The Forum also noted with grave concern the outcry of some persons whose relatives were arrested as in errors as they had nothing to do with the unfortunate incident.