The Gombe State Government has called on the people of Tangale Chiefdom in Billiri Local Government Area of the state to be calm as the process of the Mai Tangle replacement is ongoing and not concluded as perceived by the people.
The people in the area have been protesting since Wednesday, February 17, 2021, over what they consider a delay in the announcement of a replacement for the Late Tangale monarch, who died on January 10 this year.
The protesters are complaining that the Tangale Kingmakers had on Monday selected Dr, Musa Mai Yamba, who scored five votes, while the other two contestants scored two votes and yet the government was delaying the approval of the kingmakers’ choice.
In response to the protests, the Secretary to the Gombe State Government, Professor Ibrahim Njodi issued a statement and still addressed journalists in Gombe that the process was on regarding, using the Chieftaincy Laws of the state, which was amended in 2020 and that the government was using it in the selection of the Mai Tangle.
“When it got here, there have to be wide-ranging consultations and government needs to talk to various interest groups here and there . If the government finds that after consultations that the one with the highest submissions gets it, so be it. But then there are other issues that the government may be looking at. And that is what we are trying do ,” Professor Njodi said.
Professor Njodi said part of the process for the selection included; background checks and other certain human basic rules, because a ruler that emerges will lead people of other ethnic groups in Billiri and as a member of the Gombe State Council of Emirs and Chiefs, he would become a public officer.
He, however, said there was no specified timeframe for the Governor to make a decision.
According to the Secretary to the Gombe State Government, the government is aware of the yearnings of the Tangale people and as such it will do its best for the overall interest of the state and everybody.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
