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The Gombe Good Governance Group (G4) led by Adamu Abubakar has said the State Government should have handled the situation that led to the Biliri crisis differently.
The group in a statement on Sunday said the primary responsibility of the government is that of protecting lives and property, and be able to recognize deficiencies sooner and intervene faster.
Recall that an alleged imposition of a Muslim of minority extraction in Tangale a predominantly Christian community in Gombe State as King has generated mixed feelings that the women went on protest on Thursday.
The protest which started at midday on Thursday led to the blockage of Biliri Local Government entry points by irate youths and the women.
Trouble started when it was alleged that a minority candidate that has no link to the Tangale throne would be imposed by the Gombe State Government despite the fact the candidate scored less than 22 votes while the authentic candidate and son of the demised monarch, Dr Idris Maiyemba polled 55 votes.
This did not go down well with the indigenes of Tangale who smelt a rat and decided to protest the alleged injustice.
The leadership tussle took an alarming shape as it was alleged that the Fulanis were mobilising to launch an attack against the predominantly Christian community.
According to G4, the current action of the government can be mistaken to mean it cares less about the tragedy, while also calling on the state government to do what is right and promote tenets of democracy.
The statement reads: “Our heart and prayers are with the good people of Tangale as well as the entire people of Gombe state in these very trying times.
“We want our brothers and sisters from Tangale to know that they matter. Your lives matter. Your dreams and choices matter.
“As tragic as these past few days have been (avoidable loss of lives and property), as difficult and scary and uncertain as they’ve been, they’ve also presented an incredible opportunity for our people to be awakened to some of these underlying trends we have witnessed recently and offered an opportunity for us to all work together.
“Although we are all pained and feel despair, we are also hopeful, optimistic and more certain, as we see the talent, the voice, and the sophistication that our young people display, that our state is going to get better.
“So we hope that you also feel hopeful even as you may feel angry because you have the potential to make things better and you have helped to make the entire state feel as if this is something that must change.
“The message from you, our brothers in Tangale is loud and clear. You’ve communicated a sense of urgency that is as powerful and as transformative as anything that we have seen in recent years.
“The primary responsibility of government everywhere, is that of protecting lives and property, and be able to recognize the deficiencies sooner and intervened faster.
“As a democratically elected government, we call on our state government to do what is right and promote tenets of democracy- justice, equity and rule of law in our state.
“The current action of government can be mistaken to mean it cares less about the tragedy, the prior existing trust is almost broken and affect our very vulnerable, good, old, women and children, people of Tangale.
“More worrisome is the fact that, the immediate cause of the revolt is absolutely avoidable. The governor is the most powerful man in the state, with people’s mandate. He cannot afford to abdicate this responsibility. Doing so would be disastrous and it will engulf us.
“When the govt aids and abet riots and is unready to meet personal disaster with swift response, to quell what was going to be the obvious.
“The abolition of slavery & end of French rule, driven by the 1791 ‘La constitution Francoise, that came out at the start of the French Revolution, which states that all men are created equal, ultimately led to the Haitian revolution & independence.
“The effect of the Haitian revolution on the institution of and abolition of slavery were felt throughout the Americas and successfully followed by a defence of freedom they earn.
“This and many more, subsequently led to the entrenchment of democratic norms and human rights, which we all, very much, enjoy today.
“The situation would have been handled differently, government ought to show more empathy to the wishes of the people. This has shown that as citizens we must stand up for the truth.
“The good people of Tangale has shown that great disdain for impunity and has exhibited unmitigated anger but it is now time to sheath the sword. Let’s allow reason to prevail”.