Plateau Traditional tussle: Bashar community protests enthronement of new traditional ruler

From Tongnaan Bawa, Jos

The Concerned Stakeholders of Bashar Chiefdoms of Wase local government area of Plateau state have expressed displeasure over the choice and installation of Alhaji Abdullahi Idris as the new Rekna of Bashar, in Wase Local Government Area.

The group said that not only was the appointment flawed, it didn’t follow the Plateau State chieftaincy laws.

While Addressing Journalists at the NUJ Press Centre on Monday, Spokesman of the group, Alhaji Shehu Mujahid Abubakar, said the former government ignored the people’s protestation on the choice of new monarch, to the committee on Complaints Arising from the Creation/Upgrade of Chiefdoms, Districts, and Village Areas in Plateau State, which they alleged was manipulated by the former chairman of the local government.

They accused him of bypassing protocol by inviting the kingmakers to his office, intimidated and put pressure on them to endorse his choice.

Moreover the people said that the new monarch is not from the ruling house and was nominated even where he’s still in the employment of the federal government, which against the law.

“We, the Concerned Stakeholders is today calling this press conference following the injustice and irregularities melted out to the people of bashar chiefdom during the selection process for the new Rekna of Bashar in Wase Local Government Area. This process resulted in the selection and installation of the incumbent traditional ruler, His Royal Highness Alh Abdullahi Idris as the new Rekna.

“In September 2022, the Rekna of Bashar position became vacant. Following tradition, a new Rekna should have been chosen from the ruling family through a proper selection process involving the kingmakers.

“Government Oversight Committee: The Plateau State Government, under the leadership of Governor Simon Bako Lalong, established a committee to oversee the selection process according to established rules and regulations.

“The committee visited Bashar town on November 26, 2022, to brief the kingmakers on the selection process. On December 2, 2022, the state government scheduled the official selection date.

“However, the then-chairman of Wase Local Government Council, Dr. Ado Abubakar Buba, bypassed protocol by inviting the kingmakers to his office and holding meetings with some of them under pressure. This action contradicts the Plateau State Chieftaincy Laws. A copy of the invitation letter is attached.

“Due to the chairman’s interference, the selection process was postponed from December 2 to December 13, 2022.

“Four out of five kingmakers were abducted on December 16, 2022, by the former chairman and his associates, presumably to influence the selection outcome further disrupting the proces

“Dual Employment of the New Rekna: We have reason to believe that the incumbent Rekna, Abdullahi Idris, is still employed by the federal government while holding the position of Rekna. This violates the rules, as an individual cannot hold two government positions at the same time.

They called on the Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, Commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs and the review committee to as a matter of urgency investigate these Complaints arising from the irregularities that occured during the selection process for equity, justice and fairness to the people of bashar chiefdom ,wase local government area and plateau state in general.

Meanwhile reacting to the Concerned group, former Chairman of Wase Hon. Ado Abubakar confirmed that the selection of the Bashar traditional ruler in 2022 follow a due process as stipulated by the law, he accused the group of being political.

He however strongly refuted the claims that some kingmakers were kidnapped, saying he was never aware of such incident.

“I was the chief security officer of the Local Government then, and government constituted a committee from the Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, I also provided security, I wasn’t involved, what I did was to ensure everywhere was Peaceful, but why didn’t they go to court since 2022, and waited for 2024 to speak out if they are not politically motivated. He qurried.

Abubakar described the petition of the Concerned Stakeholders as baseless and lack Merit.