Gombe royal crisis: I can pick any of the recommended candidates, says governor

Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has said no one can intimidate him to pick their preferred candidates for the Mai Tangale’s stool.

At least three persons were killed and properties worth millions of naira destroyed in the unrest recorded in Billiri local government area of Gombe State over the appointment of a new king.

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Angry persons, mostly women and children, had blocked the Gombe-Yola highway, protesting what they described as “delay tactic” in the appointment of the Mai Tangale;

But speaking after touring the LGA on Saturday, the governor said he cannot be blackmailed.

He said as a result of the violence, no official pronouncement was made about any of the three candidates.

“The violence was orchestrated by some unpatriotic individuals who thought they could blackmail the government into announcing their preferred candidate. And let it be clear that it is within my powers as governor to appoint any of the three recommended candidates to become the new Mai Tangle.”

“Let me also make it clear that our administration will never cow into any blackmail, threat, intimidation or witch-hunt from any individual or group no matter how highly placed,” he said.

Yahaya added that the eruption of violence in Billiri LGA left him with no option than to declare a 24-hour curfew to further stem the spread of violence, loss of lives and destruction of property.

He said the government will suspend action on the appointment of new Mai Tangale until normalcy returns to the affected communities.

He assured residents that the government in collaboration with relevant security agencies has put in place adequate measures to ensure the protection of lives and property of all the people living in the state.

Protesters had accused the governor of planning to appoint a different person other than the candidate, whom they alleged secured the highest number of votes during a selection process initiated by the kingmakers.

However, the protest turned violent on Friday evening when the protesters allegedly killed three persons, burnt down properties, including houses.

The state Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Maikudi Shehu, confirmed the incident, he said three people were killed and several others injured during the unfortunate incident.

He said about 10 suspects were arrested, adding that “effort is being made to arrest other perpetrators of the violence.”