4 months ago
142
Stakeholders and kingmakers of Bashar Chiefdom of Wase Local Government of Plateau State on Wednesday said the emergence of Alhaji Abdullahi Idris as Rekna of Bashar was in accordance with regulations and customary practices governing the selection of the traditional ruler.
DAILY POST recalls that recently, a group, the Concerned Stakeholders of Bashar Chiefdom in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State, had called on the state governor, Caleb Mutfwang, to look into the emergence of Alhaji Abubakar Idris as Rekna of Bashar.
While addressing journalists in Jos, spokesman of the group, Shehu Mujajid Abubakar, had alleged that due process was not followed in the selection of the traditional ruler.
According to him, “Some of the contenders were frustrated out of the contest and the exercise postponed twice due to the interference of the then local government chairman.”
They also alleged that, “The then Chairman of the Local Government Area, Dr Ado Abubakar Buba in 2022, bypassed protocol and invited some of the kingmakers to his office and held a meeting with them under pressure, an action that contradicts the Plateau State Chieftaincy Laws.”
The group also noted that a formal complaint outlining these irregularities was submitted to then Governor Simon Lalong but nothing was done, and called on Governor Mutfwang to, as a matter of urgency, investigate the allegations “for equity, justice and fairness to the people of Bashar chiefdom”.
However, Dr Zakari Mohammed, who spoke on behalf of the stakeholders and kingmakers on Wednesday, noted that “none of the kingmakers was put under pressure and none of the kingmakers who participated in the selection exercise and voted has challenged the election”.
According to him, “The Rekna of Bashar has so far received wide acceptability since his ascension to the stool of his forefathers without any rancour by the ruling houses, kingmakers or the community in general.
“The ascension of Alhaji Abdullahi Idris to the throne derives its legitimacy from the fact that he is a member of the ruling class of Bashar.”
He called on security agencies to investigate the issue.
English (US) ·