Plateau community faults govt’s suspension of monarch

Barely two years after his installation, the Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has suspended a traditional ruler, Alhaji Abdullahi Idris, in the Wase Local Government Area of the state.

Idris is the highest traditional ruler in Bashar’s Chiefdom of the council area.

His suspension was announced by the state-owned Radio and Television Corporation, directing that the Rekna of Bashar step aside pending an investigation and a review of his selection which was done in 2022.

Addressing a press conference in Jos on Friday, the Chairman of the Bashar Communities Development Association, Dr Zakari Dallatun, described the action of the government as strange and illegal.

Dallatun explained that the selection of the embattled traditional ruler adhered to all statutory requirements and received the Chairman of the Plateau State Council of Chiefs and Emirs’ recommendation.

He said, “You will recall that following the death of Alhaji Adamu Idris, the late Rekna of Bashar on the 24th day of September 2022, a new Rekna of Bashar, in person of Alhaji Abdullahi Idris was selected by the kingmakers since 2022. We have handy, a complete, detailed report of the selection process showing clearly that all the stakeholders involved in the selection of the Rekna of Bashar duly participated in the said process which was conducted since 2022.

“The process was also captured on video and submitted to the government in 2022. The report clearly showed the names of the nominees, list of attendance of kingmakers, ballots cast for the candidates, and recommendation of the Plateau State Council of Chiefs amongst others. For the avoidance of doubt and for record purposes, no participant had challenged the selection in any court of  law since 2022. It is apparent from the report, that there was absolute compliance with the necessary provisions of the law regulating the selection of the Rekna of Bashar in 2022.”

Also, Dallatun explained that a former governor of the state, Simon Lalong, was involved in the appointment process.

He added, “Upon the completion and submission of the report of the selection by the five-man committee constituted by the state government who oversaw the selection process, Simon Bako Lalong, the former Executive Governor of Plateau State in the exercise of his powers appointed Alhaji Abdullahi Idris as the new Rekna of Bashar.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Rekna of Bashar received his appointment letter on January 5, 2023, he was installed and presented with the second-class staff of office by the Executive Governor on February 23, 2023. It is necessary to put on record further that the appointment of the new Rekna was approved by the governor only upon the receipt of the recommendation of the report dated December 29, 2022, from the Chairman of the Plateau State Council of Chiefs and Emirs, Da. Jacob Buba.

“The recommendation in clear terms attested to the fact that the selection of the new Rekna was done by the provisions of Plateau State Legal Notice No. 11 of 1991. We have handy a detailed report justifying the process, recommendations, appointment, installation and ascension to the throne by the Rekna of Bashar which processes have been carried out since 2022.

“You will also recall that this review process only started and subsequently gathered momentum thereafter sometimes on the 8th day of July 2024 when a faceless group named Concerned Stakeholders of Bashar Chiefdom held a press conference calling on the Government to review the selection concluded since 2022.”

Speaking further, the chairman revealed that efforts had been made to correct any misinformation about the selection process.

“As laughable as it seemed at first, a counter press conference was also held on the 10th of July, 2024 to correct the inaccuracies, misrepresentations or falsehoods peddled by the said press conference to set the records straight for the present and the future.

“In the same vein, an interview was further granted on Monday, the 30th of September 2024, following the submission of the memo to the committee recently constituted by the State Government to look into the issues of complaints related to the selection of the Rekna of Bashar at the Ministry for Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs.

“From the aforesaid, any review process is clearly rendered unnecessary with clear reference to the existing report and the established actions of Government however to our greatest surprise and disbelieve, we have received information that the Rekna was instructed to step aside pending the finalisation of the committee’s findings. How this decision became necessary is a subject of speculation amongst our local populace thus enhancing tension and obvious misgivings.

“While we acknowledge the robust governance frameworks in place within our state, we are compelled to voice our serious reservations about the instruction for Rekna to step aside pending the conclusions of an investigative committee examining complaints related to his 2022 selection, especially considering that his selection adhered to all statutory requirements and received the Chairman of the Plateau State Council of Chiefs and Emirs’ recommendation”, he stated.

He further noted that the current decision has not only advanced tension, disunity, and distrust but has generated a substantial leadership gap within their chiefdom, at a period when resolute leadership is desperately needed.

He also called on the state governor to rescind the decision in the interest of the people.

“We therefore strongly request His Excellency Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang to ensure justice in this matter, stand by the oath he took to protect his people without fear, favour or ill will, nor allow any sentiments or considerations to influence his official decisions.
“We urge that the dignity attached to our long-cherished tradition of Bashar people be respected in all official decisions”, the chairman concluded.