William Attah, Gombe
Gombe State Government has reacted to recent protest by indigenes of Billiri Local Government Area over the delay in announcing the new Paramount traditional ruler three days after a conclusive election.
Addressing the press Thursday morning, Secretary to the Gombe State Government (SSG), Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, appealed to the people of Billiri to be patient and remain calm as the Governor, Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya is still making ‘background checks’ as required by law.
He explained that there was no need for the people to disrupt the peace being enjoyed by blocking a major highway and burning tires stressing that the Governor was still doing his consultations before the announcement of the new Mai Tangle.
He said, based on the law for the appointment of Emirs and Chiefs 2020, the Governor is expected to receive three names from the kingmakers out of which he has the prerogative to choose one out of the three.
According to the SSG, the Governor also has the right to make consultations, background checks on who is most suitable especially considering who will promote peaceful coexistence in Billiri, not only the Tangale people alone.
He explained that during the election which comprised of nine kingmakers, 18 persons contested with two of the contestants polling two votes each while one of them polled five votes.
He said, the names of the three persons who had votes were the ones submitted to the Governor who will then approve one among them based on his prerogative powers.
However, our correspondent gathered that the people of Billiri whose protest continued till Thursday morning had earlier suspected what many described as a subversion of the wishes of the people when news filtered out that the contestant who polled five votes was not the one approved by the Governor coupled with the fact that it was taking such a long time before the announcement.
As at the time of filing this report, the State Deputy Governor was chairing a high powered security meeting following the high level tension generated by the protest.
Tension had enveloped Billiri town of Gombe LGA over the delay in announcing the new Mai Tangle three days after kingmakers concluded the election to fill the vacant position.
Following the protest, mostly by women wearing black attires who came out in their hundreds the road leading to Yola, the Adamawa State capital was blocked to traffic for a couple of hours.
Our Correspondent gathered that the women who suspect foul play, are protesting the non announcement of the new Mai Tangle whose election was concluded Monday morning.
Police personnel are positioned in all major areas of Billiri town, getting ready for any breakdown of law and order.
However, in a press statement, a group that goes by the name Tangale Community Overseas, called on Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya to immediately announce Dr. Musa Idris Mai Yamba who is believed to have won the election.
According to Lamela Umaru Lakorok, General Secretary of the group, the Gombe State Chieftaincy law 2021 must not be misunderstood or misappropriated.
He 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.
“The Governor may consult the State council of Emirs and Chiefs on the appointment of an Emir or Chief “, he quoted.
He said in the case of last Monday’s election for the new Mai Tangle, Dr. Musa Idris Mai Yamba received more votes than the two other candidates combined.
Suspecting foul play, the group said, “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 were it not so absurd.
“Twisting the Law is an assault on the 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”.
They also called on the 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.
The group said, “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”, they stressed.
They said, with patience, they await the announcement by the Governor as they do not encourage any behavior or actions that will be counterproductive to the cause of peace in Tangale land.
