By Smart Emmanuel,
Tangale people have maintained that the seat of their paramount traditional ruler is occupied by an impostor forced on them by Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State.
In a statement released last week, the Tangale Elders Forum, alongside three other groups said the person currently occupying the seat, Danladi Sanusi Maishanu is not a Tangale man, adding that the person Danladi claims as his late father was infertile and never gave birth to anyone.
Responding to three rejoinders this week, the elders and the three groups called on Danladi to go public and defend himself.
Find below the press statement:
We maintain our position: Late Maishanu Maiyamba was infertile; he never gave birth to anyone and Danladi Sanusi is not a Tangale man
Our attention has been drawn to three social media posts, one dubbed “Oral account of Mai Tangle’s birth….” the other two, rejoinders from a supposed group, “Tangale Youths for Peace and Unity,” and Sgt. Isah Maiyamba, all meant to discredit our recent joint press statement.
Our response:
1. The writers of the rejoinders have not presented any argument to discredit the joint statement. On the contrary, the Baba Lakwas’ daughter quoted (despite errors in her account) corroborated some of the facts in our statement, including, (i) Danladi’s mother came to Tangale land with pregnancy [that was two years after Maishanu left her] (ii) Danladi was delivered in Baba Majidadi Lakwas’ house [it was not Maishanu’s house, or Mai Tangle’s palace] (iii) late Maishanu was no where close to Mama Rachael and the pregnancy, even during Danladi’s delivery [it is simply because he rejected both of them].
2. Sgt Isah Maiyamba stated that Danladi is a biological son of the family, but failed to mention his father’s name. So we ask, whose son is he? We know for sure that Maishanu was infertile and never gave birth to anyone. This goes to show how complicit some members of the Maiyamba’s family are in the ongoing confusion on the Mai Tangle issue.
3. Our joint press statement was not focused on adoption of Danladi into the Maiyamba’s family, but on the fact that late Maishanu Maiyamba is not the biological father of Danladi, and in Tangale culture, he (Danladi) cannot be Mai Tangle.
4. The key questions raised in the joint statement were directed at Mal. Danladi, not a third party. The last time we checked, none of the three rejoinder signatories was Danladi’s spokesperson. So, they are not qualified to respond on his behalf. Only Danladi bears the burden of telling the world whose son he is.
It is important at this juncture for everyone, including the signatories of the rejoinders to know that our team of researchers interviewed credible individuals with adequate knowledge of the subject matter. Some of the sources interviewed were from the Lunguda tribe and the Maiyamba ruling family.
Going forward, we advise the Maiyamba ruling family to put its house in order. Remember, you are not your own; your family is accountable to the Tangale people who decide through the kingmakers whether or not you rule over the land. And in instances where government forces you on us, we have the right to reject you as rulers.
To Sgt. Maiyamba, the Tangale people are too formidable to be threatened by you, or your sponsors. It is a shame that you have failed in protecting the values and legacies of Late Mai Palpalu Maiyamba.
We state again, late Maishanu was infertile and did not give birth to any child. Maishanu is not the biological father of Danladi. Maishanu was not the only person who had the condition in the Maiyamba family. These are known facts among the elders in Tangale land.
We advise people who are not knowledgeable on this matter, or individuals that are materialistic to stop right there; “you cannot manufacture a child for the late Maishanu,” or cook a tale and make it a part of the Tangale history.
Meanwhile, we dare state that the “Tangale Youths for Peace and Unity” rejoinder was not written by Tangale youths as claimed because, (i) the writers appeared confused in their rejoinder and did not understand the issue at stake and what they were writing about. This is consistent with errand boys’ approach to issues – ranting and showcasing ignorance (ii) Tangale youths have gone to school, and are educated enough to write a well articulated argument and in better English than what we see in the “youths” rejoinder.
Importantly, we meant no harm to the family of Baba Majidadi Lakwas. But if mentioning his name in making the Tangale history more accurate warrants taking these reputable Tangale bodies to court, so be it, we meet in the courts.
Worthy of note, contrary to the actions of Gov. Inuwa Yahaya on Mai Tangle’s appointment, section 21 (a) of the Nigerian Constitution (1999) Amended, mandates state governments in Nigeria to “protect, preserve and promote the Nigerian (indigenous) cultures which enhance human dignity.” Clearly, Gov. Yahaya’s actions were aimed at destroying the Tangale culture, not “protecting or preserving” it.
We praise Tangale sons and daughters for rejecting the person Gov. Yahaya planted in Mai Tangle’s Palace. They thought by now we would have submitted to a stranger planted in our midst. We know their game; please, continue to stay away from the palace as you have been doing. They may not be aware, twice the Tangale people had stayed without a traditional ruler; 1680 – 1700 and 1996 – 2001. This is the third time we are staying without a traditional ruler, beginning from January 2021.
As stated in the last joint press statement, we know our history, no one can rewrite it. Also, we will not allow anyone to adulterate the Tangale ruling clan by smuggling a non Tangale man into one of the families – it is already a failed mission.
God bless Tangale land!
God bless Gombe State!
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria!
E-SIGNED
Elder Tele K. Elsa,
Secretary, Tangale Elders Forum
Mr. Reuben A. Bauna,
Secretary, Tangale Community Development Association
Major B. S. Uba (rtd)
Secretary, Kwagam Tangle Socio-Cultural Association
Mr. Lamela Umaru Lakorok,
Secretary, Tangale Community Overseas