By Danjuma Auta
The Tangale community in Gombe State has once again cried out over the imposition of a traditional ruler on them by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa.
Addressing a press conference recently in Jos, the Tangale Development Association(TDA), a socio-cultural association of the Tangale nation, accused the state governor of the continued oppression of their people by forcing a non-native on them as the Mai Tangale against the tradition and custom of the Tangale nation and called on the governor to retract that decision.
Speaking on behalf of the Tangale elders, the Sarkin Zangon Tangale and a trustee of the socio-cultural organization, Dr. Daniel Mado, stated that their people would not continue to watch the governor and government of Gombe State drag them into anarchy.
According to him, the Tangale people were yet to come into terms with the mysterious death of the late Mai Tangale, Dr. Abdu Buba Mai Sheru 11, which led to the governor’s imposition of one Mallam Danladi Sanusi Mai Shanu, whose origin is yet to be established by the Tangale people.
He disclosed that they had no problem regarding whoever wished to contest for the office of the Mai Tangale, which was why they did not contest the participation of Mai Shanu but stated that he must go through the right selection process.
He added that when the selection process took place, it was glaring that the king makers cast their votes as follows: Dr. Musa Idris Maiyamba got 5 votes, Mallam Danladi Sanusi got 2 votes while the third contestant also got 2 votes.
He therefore argued that there was no reason for the state government to declare two as against 5 as the winner.
The group alleged that, since the demise of Buba Maisheru, Governor Yahaya had continued to act in violation of the state Chieftaincy Law and Nigeria’s constitution by making utterances capable of causing disunity and chaos among Gombe State people.
According to Dr. Maddo, the governor was responsible for the lingering crises in Gombe South Senatorial District and should be held responsible for bringing “over 500 security personnel as well as political thugs otherwise known as ‘Yan Kalare’ during the election of the Mai Tangle just as to intimidate the people.”
He disclosed that, despite the flaws in the selection process, the Tangale king makers were committed to doing the right thing and allowing the choice of the people, Dr. Musa Idris Maiyamba, ascend the throne.
The group declared that the Tangale nation would continue to pursue justice in all the courts of competent jurisdiction until their demand was met and called on Mallam Maishanu to stop parading himself as the Mai Tangale.
The group maintained that their action was in line with the Gombe State Chieftaincy Law and the 1999 Constitution and cautioned the governor and the state government to stop inciting other groups against the Tangale nation through their utterances. Dr. Maddo called on the Tangale people to continue to remain calm and not to take the law into their hands as they were optimistic that justice would ultimately prevail.