By Danjuma Attah, Gombe
The officials of Tangale Community Development Association (TCDA) and the ‘who is who’ in Tangale land were conspicuously absent when the Chairperson of Billiri Local Government Area of Gombe State led a delegation on a courtesy call to Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.
Many see the visit as a reconciliatory move by the LG Chairperson, Hon. Eglah Idris, alongside Malam Danladi Sanusi Maiyamba, who led the delegation to the Governor.
But the National President of TCDA, Comrade Danladi Bako, immediate past Deputy Governor of the State, Mr Charles Iliya, Dr Daniel Madu, Mr Hassan Sariel, Mr Jibrin Dawa, Mr Ankale Yelyel among many other notable Elders of Tangale land were conspicuously absent during the visit that was planned to have taken place few years back.
Comrade Danladi Bako told our Correspondent that majority of those who attended the courtesy call, particularly some District Heads, were either bought or coerces to attend the event.
Majority of the Tangale people of Billiri LGA and the Government of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya have not been on the same page since crisis broke out in February 2021 following the appointment of an unpopular candidate to the stool of the Mai Tangle, the paramount ruler of the Tangale nation.
However, receiving the delegation in Government House Gombe, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya challenged the Tangale community to unite around a common purpose that would promote genuine reconciliation, forgiveness, lasting peace and sustainable development in the area.
While reflecting on the crisis that erupted following the appointment of the Mai Tangale, Governor Inuwa Yahaya emphasized that true reconciliation and forgiveness are indispensable ingredients for unity, peace and harmonious coexistence.
According to him, although mistakes are inevitable, individuals and communities must demonstrate moral clarity by learning from the past in order to avoid repeating the same errors.
He stressed that his relationship with the Tangale community transcends politics, explaining that his family has enjoyed a long-standing bond with the people of Tangale, founded on mutual trust and respect.
He stated also that as an individual, and more importantly as Governor, he remains committed to upholding the values of relationship-building and inclusiveness instilled in him by his late father, adding that the Tangale community remains dear to his heart.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya further stressed the importance of unity and peace, not only within the Tangale community but across the state, noting that in view of prevailing security challenges in parts of the country, Gombe State cannot afford actions or behaviours that promote chaos or undermine stability.
He used the occasion to reaffirm his administration’s commitment to the implementation of people-oriented projects and policies aimed at accelerating economic development, social advancement and infrastructural expansion in Billiri Local Government Area and across the state.
Earlier, the Chairperson of Billiri Local Government Council, Hon. Eglah Idris, commended Governor Inuwa Yahaya for his commitment to the welfare of the people of Billiri LGA and Gombe State at large.
She appealed to the Governor to temper justice with mercy over the actions of a few misguided individuals, stressing that they do not represent the collective will or character of the Tangale community.
She reeled out several developmental projects executed by the Inuwa Yahaya administration in Billiri Local Government Area, spanning health, education, infrastructure, trade facilitation and other key sector
Two days earlier before the visit, the TCDA General Assembly had convened an expanded extraordinary meeting on Saturday 17th January, 2026.
The meeting was called to address critical matters affecting the Tangale nation and the governance and legal status of TCDA’s home based branch leadership.
The meeting also included the swearing-in of members of the TCDA board of trustees and the Ponar council, the custodian of the Tangale culture. The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format allowing some participants to join online.
One of the strong positions taken during the meeting emphatically dissociated the entire Tangale people from participating in what they described as plans for a purported “homage” to the Governor of Gombe State.
It said, “The position of the Tangale people as represented by TCDA is unequivocal: Governor Inuwa Yahaya does not merit any official visit or homage from the Tangale people.
“His administration has committed injustices against the Tangale community, unparalleled in the history of Gombe State. Any individual or group who chooses to undertake such a visit does so entirely on their own initiative. Such actions to do not represent the will, interest or authority of the Tangale people”, they insisted.
End.
