Violence erupts over alleged bias in selection of Gombe traditional chief

Places of worship and properties were destroyed as violence broke out in Billiri, Gombe state, on Saturday. 

The violence followed protests by some persons who accused the government of being biased in the selection process of a new Mai Tangale.

The protesters claim that the kingmakers had selected Musa Maiyamba as the successor to the former Mai Tangale.

They accused the state government of delaying issuing Maiyamba his appointment letter because he is not of the same religion as the governor

Inuwa Yahaya, Gombe governor, is a Muslim while Maiyamba is a Christian.

Reacting to the development in a broadcast, Yahaya said the process has been transparent, and that the violence was perpetrated by those who wanted to blackmail the government into picking their own candidate.

“Fellow compatriots, you are all aware that following the demise of His Royal Highness, late Abdu Buba Maisheru II, and in line with established laws and traditions, we set in motion the process for the selection of a new Mai Tangale,” he said.

“The process, which was transparent and devoid of any interference, led to the forwarding of three recommended candidates by the Tangale Traditional kingmakers, from among whom I will select the candidate to fill the vacant stool of Mai Tangale as the law provides.

“As governor, I approached the Mai Tangale succession process with high sense of responsibility. Because, as part of Gombe state’s cultural tradition, any decision I take will have far reaching implication on not only the Tangale chiefdom but the entire Gombe state.

“That’s why I undertook widespread consultations, conducted background checks and engaged in personal reflection in order to arrive at a decision that is in the best interest of the people and the state.

“Let it be clear that it is within my powers as governor to appoint any of the three recommended candidates to become the new Mai Tangale. Let it also be clear that no official pronouncement was made about any candidate before, during and after the eruption of violence in Billiri local government area.

“The violence was orchestrated by some unpatriotic individuals who thought they could blackmail the government into announcing their preferred candidate.”

The governor said all the three recommended candidates are qualified Tangale princes by virtue of their royal ancestry.

He said by history, and in accordance with the constitution of Nigeria, religion is not a criteria in selecting the new Mai Tangale or any public office.

The governor also declared a 24-hour curfew in the area to stem the spread of violence.

He said the government is withholding any decision on the new Mai Tangale until normalcy returns to the affected communities.