By Idibia Gabriel, Kaduna
The Tangale Community Overseas (TCO) has reaffirmed its support for Dr. Musa Idris Maiyamba as the rightful Mai Tangle of Gombe State, vowing to defend the community’s cultural rights amid the ongoing chieftaincy dispute in the state.
The group made its position known in a statement issued on Sunday night in Kaduna, following a recent Court of Appeal ruling in Maiduguri that upheld the position of Governor Inuwa Yahaya on the contested traditional stool. The Tangale chieftaincy crisis has remained unresolved for several years, generating legal, cultural, and political tensions.
Speaking on behalf of TCO, its Public Relations Officer, Dr. Eli Ibrahim Kerek, said the Tangale people remain united, law-abiding, and resolute in protecting their heritage and constitutional rights.
“The Tangale people remain united, law-abiding, and resolute in defending their cultural heritage, dignity, and constitutional rights. Our culture and traditions, including the right to determine our own leadership, cannot and will not be overridden,” Kerek said.
The organization described the Court of Appeal ruling as an attempt to override established Tangale customs and traditions, arguing that it undermines the collective will of the people. According to TCO, Dr. Maiyamba was duly selected in 2021 by recognized Tangale kingmakers in line with long-standing succession practices.
TCO noted that Dr. Maiyamba, a medical doctor, enjoys broad acceptance among Tangale sons and daughters both within Nigeria and in the diaspora. The group maintained that the dispute arose from the governor’s refusal to recognize the kingmakers’ choice, instead backing what it described as an external candidate.
The statement argued that such action violates Tangale customary law and provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, particularly sections relating to equality, freedom of religion, and the right of communities to manage traditional leadership affairs.
Beyond the immediate chieftaincy issue, TCO alleged a broader pattern of political interference and bias against Tangale leaders and institutions. It cited previous controversies, including the non-appointment of Justice Beatrice Iliya as Chief Justice of Gombe State, which the group attributed to ethnic and religious considerations.
Tracing the community’s history, TCO recalled periods when the Tangale people existed without a traditional ruler, notably between 1680 and 1700, and again from 1996 to 2001. It said the current vacancy of the Mai Tangle stool, which has lasted about four years, is not unprecedented.
“The Tangale identity is rooted in culture, unity, and shared heritage, not government recognition,” the statement noted.
The group also raised concerns over alleged harassment of Tangale Christians during the chieftaincy dispute, including reported cases of wrongful arrests and stigmatization by local authorities. Despite these claims, TCO said the community has remained peaceful and committed to lawful processes.
In a move to strengthen internal cohesion, TCO disclosed that it recently conducted an election of the Tangale Community Development Association (TCDA), which produced Comrade Danladi Bako as National President. The group described the exercise as a reflection of the collective will of the Tangale people worldwide.
TCO also announced the suspension of this year’s Pissi Tangale Festival, describing it as a symbolic protest underscoring the seriousness of the leadership dispute.
While urging Tangale sons and daughters to remain steadfast, the group emphasized that it would continue to pursue legal avenues to secure recognition for Dr. Maiyamba. It warned that political pressure would not weaken the community’s resolve.
“The Tangale people are one, indivisible, and unshakable. Whether Christian, Muslim, or adherents of traditional religion, we stand together in unity, protecting our heritage and asserting our right to self-determination,” Kerek said.
