By Sunday Elijah
The 2023 Labour Party gubernatorial candidate in Gombe State, Keftin Amuga, has called on Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya to in the spirit of the Christmas season release the seven remaining persons arrested since 2021 during the Mai Tangle saga.
A dozen were arrested during the protests and charged to court, but others were released on bail, leaving out the seven.
The detained persons were arrested by the police during violent protests following delay by Governor Inuwa Yahaya to announce the choice of the Tangale people, Dr. Musa Idris Maiyamba as their ruler, and the governor’s intention to impose his preferred candidate, Mal. Danladi Sanusi Maishanu.
The protests had claimed about 13 lives and property valued in millions of naira. Already the state government had deducted over N500 million from the account of the Billiri local government council and paid compensation to victims of the protest.
In a statement to felicitate with Christians in the yuletide, Amuga tasked Gov. Yahaya to take such an action which he said creates an atmosphere of cordial religious tolerance, and would “enable the detainees to celebrate the occasion with their families.”
He warned Mr. Yahaya that the continued incarceration of the
‘political prisoners of conscience’ would only support arguments and notions that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is an “anti-christianity” party.
The statement partly read, “I wish to appeal to Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya to kindly consider and release the political prisoners of conscience associated with the crisis over the appointment of the Mai Tangle, who have been incarcerated since 2021.
“This heartfelt call is crucial to dispel any notion that the governor’s actions were religiously motivated to persecute the Christian Majority Tangale people. It is worth noting that the presumed candidate who secured the majority of votes, Dr Musa Idris Maiyamba, receiving five out of the total nine votes, and all the detainees are of the Christian faith.
“Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal, previously described the APC as a Muslim party with an Islamic agenda.”
Reflecting on such statements, the former gubernatorial candidate called upon the governor to heed his plea to put to rest such misconceptions, calling on all elected and appointed politicians, regardless of primordial cleavages and partisanship, to join him in urging the governor, “to release these prisoners of conscience as a mark of respect and tolerance towards Christians during this significant Christmas season. By doing so, it create an atmosphere of cordial religious tolerance and further enable these individuals to celebrate the occasion with their families,” Amuga added.
The Labour Party’s 2023 gubernatorial candidate implored all religious leaders, particularly Christian leaders, to live up to their calling, adding “by following in the footsteps of the Prophets of old by divinely speaking out against what is wrong, particularly the continuous incarceration of these detainees. Their influential voices can play a pivotal role in advancing the cause of righteousness and thereby advocating and establishing Justice for all. As we celebrate this joyous season, I wish to encourage all Christians, where possible, to support their prayers with fasting in seeking for the unconditional release of the detainees. Together, let us engage in soul-searching, thought-provoking, and prayerful Christmas and New Year celebrations.”
