Crisis looms in Minna Emirate as Group calls for Govt intervention
Crisis of imaginable proportion is set to rock the Minna Emirate Council, as the Gbagyi Elders’ Forum has asked the state Governor Abubakar Bello to intervene by stopping the proposed turbaning of village heads.
The Elders gave the warning Monday, when they addressed journalists in a media briefing at the state capital, Minna.
One of the elders Alhaji Awaisu Giwa Awanna, said that they have made their position known to the Governor in a letter where they alleged that they have uncovered a deliberate plan to create crisis in the Gbagyi land and they would resist it.
Awanna lamented the delay in the implementation and releasing the report of the government investigative committee on the situation leading to the appointment of the present District Heads and Village Heads done indiscriminately by the Emir of Minna, Alhaji Umar Faruk Bahago.
He therefore called on the state government to as a matter of urgency intervene by ensuring the truth that truth prevails as denying the people leaders of their choice would lead to crisis.
The letter dated 18th December, 2017 and made available to journalists was titled: Investigation Committee on recent appointment of District Heads and Village Heads in Minna Emirate: A plea for release of the report of the committee and government position on the matter.
The elders accused the Emir of deliberate efforts at disrupting the over 30 years of peaceful coexistence which the community enjoyed by breaking the gentleman agreement between them and the Emirate Council by appointing his family members only.
The letter read in part: “The unilateral application for approval of Mr Governor to create new District and Village areas and their Heads to the exclusion of local government councils in the Emirate, who alone have the power to seek such approval under section 11 of the Niger State Local Government Law as amended in 2001.
“This singular act by the Emir runs contrary to the above section of the law which can substantially be challenged in the Court of Law”.
It further noted that there was no compliance with the procedures for appointment of District and Village Heads in accordance with the custom and tradition of Minna Emirate.
The letter signed by Amb. Zubairu Dada, Alhaji Abubakar M. Bosso and Alhaji Awaisu Giwa Awanna stated that if the Emir failed to accede to the yearnings and aspirations of the people for inclusive administration then the Governor should dissolve the Emirate as constituted currently and allow the various Chiefdoms the autonomy long denied them.
Awanna who sued for peace in an atmosphere of fairness and justice hinted that the Emirate has 27 cases in court related to various anomalies going on in the Emirate but said that the confidence in the court of justice is in doubt.
He further condemned the Emir’s creation of 188 village heads and 30 districts heads from the former 18 without due process who have served without salaries for two years just as the local governments 5% deductions for the Emirate Council of Minna is illegal because it has been operating without cabinet members.
SAKA BOLAJI – Minna
