A group under the aegis of Concerned Stakeholders of Bashar Chiefdom of Wase local government council of Plateau State has protested the selection of the new Rekna Bashar, Alhaji Abdullahi Idris.
They faulted the process that led to his selection and installation and want him removed for equity, justice and fairness.
The group’s spokesperson, Shehu Abubakar, made the call when he addressed newsmen in Jos, the Plateau State capital.
He urged Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, the commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, to investigate complaints of irregularities in the “selection process as a matter of urgency for equity, justice, and fairness”.
He said the call became imperative following the injustices and irregularities that trailed his selection. He added that the new Rekna was not chosen from the ruling family through a proper selection process involving the kingmakers.
Abubakar said during the peak of the selection process of the new Rekna Bashar, four of the five kingmakers were abducted allegedly by the former council chairman and his associates, presumably to influence the outcome of the exercise.
“Despite the abduction of these kingmakers, they still went ahead with the selection process. This selection violated our right to a fair hearing because the kingmakers were absent.”
He also disclosed that formal complaints on the irregularities were submitted to former governor Simon Lalong, stressing that their complaint was ignored due to his alleged political affiliation with the former chairman of Wase LGA and the preferred candidate.
The stakeholders also alleged that they have reason to believe that the incumbent monarch is still employed by the federal government, adding that “this violates the rules and regulations as an individual cannot hold two government positions at the same time”.