As tension mounts following delay in selection of new Mai Tangale
BY ADEYEMI AKANJI, BAUCHI – Palpable tension now reigns in Billiri town, the adjoining villages and Gombe Local Government Area of Gombe State over obvious delay in announcing the new Mai Tangale by the State Government.
This is coming three days after the kingmakers had concluded their election process and submitted the report as stated by the appointing authorities in their terms of reference.
Deeply worried by what they perceived a deliberate move to truncate the selection process, the community people, mostly women wearing black attires, poured out on the streets in a peaceful protest early morning of Wednesday, February 17, 2021.
In their hundreds, the protesters blocked the major road leading to Adamawa and Taraba States, obstructing free flow of vehicular and human traffic for a couple of hours before it was finally cleared for passage by some security and local government council officials.
Forefront learnt that the women, who suspected foul play by some officials, are uncomfortable with the delay in pronouncing the new Mai Tangle whose election was concluded on Monday, February 15, 2021, a development that led to the presence of security agencies in all major areas of Billiri town.
Quite visible in the area is the heavy presence of a detachment of Police personnel ready to check possible breakdown of law and order.
But a media statement by a group called, Tangale Community Overseas, has urged Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya to immediately announce Dr Musa Idris Mai Yamba, reported to have come tops in the selection process, as the new Mai Tangle.
According to the General Secretary of the group, Lamela Umaru Lakorok, the Gombe State Chieftaincy law 2021 must not be misunderstood or misappropriated for selfish purposes.
The statement said; “the law in part, VI num 20(1) says, upon the death, resignation, removal or deposition of an Emir or a Chief, the Governor shall approve the appointment of an Emir or a Chief on the recommendation of the council of traditional kingmakers of the Emirate or Chiefdom.”
Lakorok, who acknowledged that; “The Governor may consult the State council of Emirs and Chiefs on the appointment of an Emir or Chief”, noted that last Monday’s election process for the new Mai Tangle, showed Dr Musa Idris Mai Yamba received more votes than the two other candidates combined.
Suspecting foul play in the selection process, Lakorok warned that; “the idea that a Governor of a given State can decide for a tribe who should be their leader, ignoring their traditions and customs is laughable and quite absurd.
“Twisting the law is an assault on sovereignty of the Tangale people. Therefore, we call on the Gombe State legislators and the judiciary to uphold and interpret the written law and allow its full implementation in the current setting.”
In addition, they also called on other candidates, who contested along with Dr Musa Idris, to do the honourable thing and follow the traditional norms by congratulating the winner of the election.
“It would be against custom and etiquette for either of them to accept an appointment to the throne of Tangale by anyone other than the Tangale people. That will be tantamount to betrayal of confidence and respect of the people they purport to love”, the group said
The group said the people are awaiting patiently for a proclamation by the Governor because it does not encourage any behaviour or actions that will be counterproductive to the existing peace and unity in Tangale land.
