Kingship Tussle: Gombe Governor Responsible For Orgy Of Violence In Biliri — SMBLF

The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum (SMBLF) has said the Governor of Gombe State, Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, should be held responsible for the recent outbreak of violence in Biliri chiefdom in the state over the appointment of a new king.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the forum described the state government as “driving the town down the valley of worsening insecurity”.

They said the governor is responsible for the orgy of violence and deployment of soldiers responsible for the death of over four peaceful protesters at the weekend.

It read in part, “The attention of the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum (SMBLF) has been drawn to the violence and destruction of lives and property that have rocked Biliri, one of the chiefdoms in the Tangale Waja Nation in Gombe State over attempts by Governor Yahaya to impose an unpopular candidate as the new Mai Tangale.

“The Forum is also aware that the planned imposition of the new Mai Tangale is in line with a deliberately crafted plot by Hausa-Fulani oligarchy to impose a candidate that is unpopular with the people in order to disturb the peaceful co-existence of the people along the religious divide.

“We are shocked that Governor Yahaya who had vowed to stick to the choice of the Tangale kingmakers is now reneging on his promise. Going by the level of destruction unleashed on Biliri by thugs and hired arsonists that are opposed to the popular choice for a new paramount ruler for Biliri, it is clear that the Gombe State Government is driving the town down the valley of worsening insecurity.

“Without any form of doubt, the SMBLF has been convinced beyond all reasonable doubts that Governor Yahaya is behind the orgy of violence and deployment of soldiers responsible for the unprovoked murder of no fewer than four peaceful protesters at the weekend. The active participation of thugs, popularly called ‘Kalare’, an equivalent of Boko Haram, who were in the Governor Yahaya’s convoy were sighted destroying a church as the convoy departed Biliri town on Saturday.”

The group further alleged that Yahaya who should be the champion of peace has turned out to be the mastermind of the crisis.

It noted that the governor should have announced Musa Idris Maiyamba as the new Mai Tangale, having polled five votes from a total of nine votes, leaving the two candidates for the exalted position with two votes each.

They stated that Yahaya’s insistence on choosing a Muslim as the next Mai…