By Akanji Olowolodu, Gombe
Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has been called upon to as a matter of urgency, warn one of his aides, Babaji Babadidi and his like minds, to desist from using government apparatus and other security agencies to continue to harass and threaten the Tangale Community Development Association and its members.
The call was contained in a press statement issued by the General Assembly of the Association, signed by the PRO, Richard Yusuf, made available to Journalists in Gombe.
The Association also called on the State Commissioner of Police and Director of State Security Service (DSS) to arrest the said Babaji Babadidi, for allegedly inciting and causing a public disturbance in Billiri Local Government Area of the state recently.
The Association in the statement, alleged that the said Babaji Babadidi sponsored some thugs to cause confusion at the TCDA programme held on the 18/02/2023, at the Gombe State College of Education, Billiri.
According to the Association, the ugly plan was only averted because the TCDA members were law-abiding and want peace to continue to reign in the area and the state in general.
While giving the details of the situation, leadership of the TCDA stated that, “We noticed with dismay what transpired at the venue of a programme; lunching of a Tangale film “KOL BIT-BIT” which was organized in collaboration with MG Multimedia Global Movie on 18/2/2023, at the Gombe State College of Education Billiri.”
It further stated that, “While the stage was being set at the venue in the early hours of the day, the leadership of the Association got privileged information that some thugs were being mobilized to come and sabotage the programme with the backing of government apparatus.”
“Shortly after that, the leadership of the Association received a notice from Management of the College, to step down from participating in the activity, otherwise approval of the venue would be revoked,” It stated further.
The TCDA added that, “To avoid skirmishes, the TCDA leadership towed the path of peace for a successful event.”
According to the TCDA, “The Tangale people, whom the TCDA represent, considered the actions as threat to the existence, practice and display of their culture. A question that begs for an answer is, why should the Tangale people be denied the right to make use of a public facility sited in their domain?
“Upon investigation, the TCDA learnt, unfortunately, that the act was instigated by a Tangale man, one Mr. Babaji Babadidi, resident in Gombe, whose action was based on a Gombe High Court Judgement bordering on limit of powers of TCDA Patron,” it added.
The TCDA stressed that the said judgement had already been appealed against by the TCDA and pending before the Court of Appeal in Gombe.
“The General Assembly noted that their actions have over time continued to tarnish the image of Governor Inuwa Yahaya in Tangale land”, the statement emphasized.
While calling on all Tangale sons and daughters to remain law-abiding, the General Assembly also charged the youths to shun all forms of thuggery, especially as the elections approaches, advising Tangale indigenes to vote wisely in the general elections.
