By Henry Gabriel
In a strong display of opposition, Tangale stakeholders in Gombe State have firmly rejected the imposition of Mal Danladi Sanusi Maishanu as their paramount ruler by Governor Inuwa Yahaya, stating that the man in question is not a true Tangale, as his claimed father was known to be infertile and never fathered a child.
The stakeholders, in a joint statement, emphasized the importance of clarifying to the public that Mal. Danladi Sanusi Maishanu does not possess Tangale lineage.
Elder Tele K. Elsa, Secretary of the Tangale Elders Forum, Mr. Reuben A. Bauna, Secretary of the Tangale Community Development Association, Major B. S. Uba (rtd), Secretary of the Kwagam Tangale Socio-Cultural Association, and Mr. Lamela Umaru Lakorok, Secretary of the Tangale Community Overseas, collectively stated that Mal. Danladi does not carry Tangale blood.
“He cannot be Mai Tangale, and the Tangale people will continue to reject him,” the statement read.
The stakeholders further emphasized their knowledge of the ancestry of the Maiyamba family, stating that Danladi is not a descendant. They challenged anyone with a contrary opinion to provide evidence supporting their claim.
The group also shed light on the history of Mal. Danladi’s claimed father, Mal. Maishanu Maiyamba, who was known to be infertile and never had any children.
They stated that it was widely known in Tangale land that Mal. Maishanu, a health inspector, had multiple wives who were unable to bear him a child.
The stakeholders revealed that Mal. Danladi’s mother arrived in Billiri town with a daughter and a five-month-old pregnancy.
Despite pressure from family members and relatives, Mal. Maishanu rejected both the mother and the pregnancy due to his infertility.
The group clarified that Mal. Danladi was not born in Maishanu’s house but in the house of Baba Majidadi Lakwas.
They also highlighted the fact that Mal. Danladi had different names and aliases throughout his life, eventually settling with the name Sanusi, which he adopted as a surname.
The stakeholders maintained that his biological father was unknown and that he was not born into the Tangale tribe.
The stakeholders expressed their disappointment with the Maiyamba ruling family for their silence on the matter and for allowing Mal. Danladi to contest for the stool of Mai Tangale under their family flag, despite knowing he is not one of them.
They questioned Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s motives for forcefully imposing a non-Tangale man as Mai Tangale, contrary to the culture and wishes of the Tangale people.
The Tangale stakeholders called on Governor Yahaya to respect the decision of their kingmakers and stop parading Mal. Danladi as Mai Tangale.
They demanded that the Billiri Local Government Council and the Gombe State Council of Chiefs also refrain from recognizing him as the traditional ruler.
The stakeholders urged the National Security Adviser and the security agencies to cease their involvement in the matter, as they had assisted in creating the situation.
The group asserted that the majority of their kingmakers had selected Dr. Musa Idris Maiyamba, a true Tangale man from the royal bloodline, as the 16th Mai Tangale.
They emphasized that according to their culture, they did not require anyone’s permission to affirm Dr. Musa Idris Maiyamba as their paramount ruler.
The Tangale stakeholders concluded their statement by stating that the Tangale people remain steadfast and resolute in their stance.
They affirmed their knowledge of their history and asserted that no one can rewrite it.
