The peaceful Sansani community in Gassol Local Government Council of Taraba state is at the verge of taking a negative turn as the people yesterday called on the Governor, Arc. Darius Dickson Ishaku to as a matter of urgency restrain the traditional ruler of the community.
The actions of the Monarch, Alhaji Idris Yakubu Chiroma, as stated in a petition written by the elders of the community ” are capable of precipitating great crisis in the local government.”
In a forty one paged document signed by sixteen elders and copied to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Peter Abel Diah, security establishments in the state, political leaders in the council and traditional rulers, the petitioners allege that the action of the monarch is becoming “unbearable so we need the immediate intervention of our dear governor.”
The petitioners allege that the king who ascended the throne over ten years ago, has subjected the people to untold hardships and is highly committed to causing disaffection among his subjects for his selfish gains, rather than working to foster peace and unity in his chiefdom.
Part of the petition which was also made available to Quick News Africa, reads, ” the monarch, a Third Class Chief is promoting indiscipline and disrespect to constituted authorities by pitching the village heads against District heads”
Adding that “and has repeatedly caused clashes through forceful confiscation of fertile lands and fishing ponds belonging to peasant farmers for himself, leaving the peasants without a means of livelihood”.
The elders who accused Monarch of forcefully taking lands from the community and sold them to “Strange Fulani Herdsmen” said they were worried at how the traditional rulers had “regrettably resorted to mischievously pitching the Tiv people in the area against the rest of the people in a move that is capable of fueling tensions and anxiety and consequently, causing civil unrest in their District.”
Wondering why the traditional ruler has such a “proclivity to violence” the petitioners alleged that Sansani is not the only District that has come under his impunity, noting that he “recently ignited a commotion over a vast land at Natirde in Sendirde district that left over thirteen persons hospitalized just so that he could impound the land” adding that “and has also forcefully taken over a large fish pond at Kir from the original owners who are currently in court over the case.”
They pleaded with Governor to “as a matter of urgency, depose the Monarch and replace him, and make him to return the lands and ponds he has forcefully taken from the people to the original owners as the only way to forestalling an eminent breakdown of law and order in the Chiefdom.”
Reacting, the Monarch in question said ” the allegations were all falsehood” adding that “the petitioners were disgruntled elements who were bent on causing trouble in the chiefdom and warned that the long arm of the law would not spare any of them.”
He admonished the people of the chiefdom, thee governor, speaker and security operatives to disregard the petition which according to him was the handwork of ” some few persons who are envious of the progress my chiefdom is making.”
