Protesters in Billiri town of Gombe State expressing their grievances
By Akanji Alowolodu, Gombe
There is palpable tension currently building up in Billiri town and its adjoining villages as well as Gombe Local Government Area of Gombe State over the deliberate delay by the concerned authorities in announcing the new Mai Tangle three days after Kingmakers had concluded their election process and submitted the report.
Following the development, a peaceful protest was embarked up people of the area majority of who were women wearing black attires and came out in their hundreds since early morning of Wednesday, blocking the major road leading to Adamawa and Taraba States obstructing free flow of traffic for a couple of hours before passage was allowed.
It was reliably gathered that the women who suspected a foul play in the process were protesting the non announcement of the new Mai Tangle whose election was concluded Monday morning a development that has forced the presence of security agencies as detachment of Police personnel are seen in all major areas of Billiri town, getting ready for any breakdown of law and order.
However, a press statement by a group, Tangale Community Overseas, was released calling on the State Governor, Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya to immediately announce Dr. Musa Idris Mai Yamba who is believed to have worn the election.
According to Lamela Umaru Lakorok, who is the General Secretary of the group, the Gombe State Chieftaincy law 2021 must not be misunderstood or misappropriated.
He stated in the release that, “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”.
He further stated that, “The Governor may consult the State council of Emirs and Chiefs on the appointment of an Emir or Chief” .
Lamela Lakorok also states that 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 a foul play, the group 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 were it not so absurd” .
It added that, “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”.
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 stated that, “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 said that, 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.
Meanwhile, in a terse statement, the State Government has warned the protesters to clear off the road or be forced out.
In a statement signed by the the SSG, Prof Ibrahim Njodi Abubakar, the government stated that, “Following the Development taking place in parts of Billiri Local Government Area, the Gombe State Government wishes to categorically state that it has not pronounced a New Mai Tangle because the process has not been concluded” .
The statement further contained that, Accordingly, all persons who engage in the blocking of roads are advised to withdraw with immediate effect.
Until normalcy is restored in Tangale Chiefdom, it will be difficult for Government to make any pronouncement on the issue.
