A prominent youth leader and Middle Belt advocate, I.Y. Melah Maimuruchi, has written an open letter to Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, alleging that justice and fairness have been undermined in matters affecting the Tangale people.

Melah, a lawyer and Tangale indigene, made the letter available to journalists on Tuesday, expressing concern over the handling of the Mai Tangale traditional stool and other issues he said have deepened tension in the area.

In the letter, Melah faulted the installation of Danladi Sanusi as Mai Tangale, claiming the decision did not reflect the wishes of the majority of the Tangale people.

“It is an incontrovertible fact that under your administration, the collective will of the Tangale people was brazenly disregarded when a stooge was imposed as Mai Tangale against the clear wishes of the majority,” he wrote.

He said the decision had contributed to prolonged tension and grievances within the community, including the arrest and detention of some Tangale indigenes.

“The arrest, detention and prosecution of six Tangale sons and daughters for over four years on charges many in the community consider politically motivated stands as one of the darkest chapters in our recent history,” Melah said, while stopping short of accusing any specific institution of wrongdoing.

Melah also criticised the state government for failing to elevate Justice Beatrice Iliya to the position of Chief Judge of Gombe State, alleging that her exclusion was not based on merit.

“Our daughter, My Lord Justice Beatrice Iliya, was denied her rightful elevation not on the basis of competence or merit,” he stated, describing the development as painful to the Tangale people.

He further expressed disappointment over the governor’s continued refusal to recognise Dr. Musa Idris Maiyamba as the Mai Tangale.

“You refused to allow the person many Tangale people consider the rightful Mai of Tangale land, Dr. Musa Idris Maiyamba, to assume his traditional position,” Melah wrote.

The youth leader also dismissed recent meetings organised by the state government and described as peace engagements with Tangale stakeholders.

“That gathering was not peace; it was performance. Peace cannot be manufactured in a hall; it must be rooted in truth and justice,” he said, arguing that genuine reconciliation had yet to take place.

Calling for corrective action, Melah urged the governor to take steps he said would restore confidence and dignity among the Tangale people.

“It is not too late to restore dignity to the Tangale people by doing what is right: recognise and enthrone Dr. Musa Idris Maiyamba as the rightful Mai Tangale,” he said, adding that such a move would “speak louder than a thousand meetings.”

He appealed to the governor to use the remainder of his tenure to address the grievances.

“You still have over a year left in office. Use it well. Do not be remembered as a governor who chose pride over justice,” he added.

As of the time of filing this report, the Gombe State Government had not responded to the allegations raised in the letter.

The Gombe State Government has previously said it has held several peace meetings with Tangale stakeholders to resolve the dispute, a claim Melah disputed, insisting that the interventions have not addressed the community’s core concerns.

Vanguard News