TCDA urges Police, DSS to arrest Babaji Babadidi, Chairman Gombe SUBEB
The Tangale Community Development Association has urged the Gombe State Commissioner of Police Oqua Etim, and Director, Department of State Services Abba Adams Abdullahi, to arrest Babaji Babadidi, Chairman of State Universal Basic Education Board.
According to a press statement made available to our correspondent, which was signed by the Public Relations Officer Richard Yusuf, the revered socio-political group said Babadidi, should be arrested for attempting to cause breakdown of law and order.
Yusuf frowned at what he described use of apparatus of power to victimise the Association, adding that upon the launch of a movie at College of Education in Billiri it received in good authority the decision of the SUBEB chairman to mobilise hoodlums to the place in order to displace the people.
The group disclosed that it had to tow the path of peace to avoid unnecessary conflict, While questioning the reason it wouldn’t have access to facilities which are in its domain, TCDA urged the Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Yahaya, to warn Babadidi and his likes to desist from tarnishing his image as a hater of his own people.
The statement partly read, “The Commissioner of Police and Director of State Security Service Gombe State should arrest the said Babaji Babadidi, for inciting and causing a public disturbance in Billiri Local Government – having sponsored thugs to cause mayhem at the TCDA programme conducted on the 18th February 2023. The ugly plan was only averted because the TCDA members were law-abiding.”
FULL TEXT: TANGALE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION (TCDA) GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESS RELEASE
ABUSE OF APPARATUS OF POWER: TANGALE ETHNIC GROUP IN GOMBE STATE UNDER THREAT
Tangale Community Development Association (TCDA) is a corporate entity registered with the Cooperate Affairs Commission (CAC), whose activities are regulated by the Association’s Constitution.
The current Acting Leadership of TCDA, under Mr. P. T. Gambo was appointed by the General Assembly of the Association on 11th October 2022 in its meeting in Billiri town. Going by TCDA constitution, the General Assembly is the highest decision-making body that has final say on affairs of the Association.
The leadership of the TCDA noticed with dismay what transpired at the venue of a programme; launching of a Tangale film “KOL BIT-BIT” which it organised in collaboration with MG Multimedia Global Movie on 18th February, 2023, at the Gombe State College of Education Billiri.
While the stage was being set at the venue in the early hours of the day, the leadership of the Association got privileged information that some thugs were being mobilised to come and sabotage the programme with the backing of government apparatus.
Shortly after that, the leadership of the Association received a notice from Management of the College, to step down from participating in the activity, otherwise approval of the venue would be revoked.
To avoid skirmishes, the TCDA leadership towed the path of peace for a successful event.
The Tangale people, whom the TCDA represent, considered the actions as threat to the existence, practice and display of their culture. A question that begs for an answer is, why should the Tangale people be denied the right to make use of a public facility sited in their domain?
Upon investigation, the TCDA learnt, unfortunately, that the act was instigated by a Tangale man, one Mr. Babaji Babadidi, resident in Gombe, whose action was based on a Gombe High Court Judgement bordering on limit of powers of TCDA Patron. The said judgement had already been appealed by the TCDA and pending before the Court of Appeal in Gombe.
PRAYERS
Having reviewed the situation, TCDA General Assembly prays for the following;
1. The Commissioner of Police and Director of State Security Service Gombe State should arrest the said Babaji Babadidi, for inciting and causing a public disturbance in Billiri Local Government – having sponsored thugs to cause mayhem at the TCDA programme conducted on the 18th February, 2023. The ugly plan was only averted because the TCDA members were law-abiding.
2. The Governor of Gombe State should warn Babaji Babadidi and his like minds, to desist from using government apparatus and other security agencies to continue to threaten the Association and its members – their actions have over time continued to tarnish the image of Governor Inuwa Yahaya in Tangale land.
CONCLUSION
The TCDA General Assembly calls on all Tangale sons and daughters to remain law-abiding. It calls on the youth to shun all forms of thuggery, especially as the elections approaches.
The TCDA also advises Tangale indigenes to vote wisely in the coming elections.
God bless Tangale
God bless Gombe state
God bless Nigeria.Signed
Richard Yusuf
Public Relations Officer, TCDA
For the General Assembly
20th February, 2023
