Stakeholders and the 5 Kingmakers of in selection of the Rekna of Bashar, Bashar Chiefdom of Wase LGA have debunked concerns raised by ‘Concerned Stakeholders of Bashar Chiefdom’ led by one Shehu Mujahid Abubakar that the selection of the Rekna of Bashar, His Royal Highness Alhaji Abdullahi Idris in 2022 did not follow due process. They also denied that the process was flawed and that majority of the kingmaker were kidnapped during the selection process of the Rekna of Bashar.

The five Kingmakers (names undisclosed) were responding to questions from journalists at a press conference at the Press Center NUJ Secretariat, Jos on Wednesday 10th July, 2024, summoned by Stakeholders and members of the Argando Ruling Family in Bashar Chiefdom, Wase LGA of Plateau State.

Recall that a group “Concerned Stakeholders of Bashar Chiefdom” led by one Shehu Mujahid Abubakar addressed the press in the same venue on Monday 8th July, 2024 alleging among other things that the current Rekna of Bashar emerged through fractured processes which included interference by politicians and the kidnap/pressuring of kingmakers.

Responding to the allegations on behalf of Stakeholders and members of the Argando Ruling Family in Bashar Chiefdom of Wase LGA of Plateau State, Chairman Bashar Community Development Association (BACODA) Alhaji (Dr) Zakari Muhammed told journalists that the claims put forward by a group who presented themselves as “Concerned Stakeholders of Bashar Chiefdom” who addressed the press on Monday 8th July 2024 through one Shehu Mujahid Abubakar were absolutely false.

According Dr Muhammed, group led by Mujahid failed to state or demonstrate in what capacity they claimed to be stakeholders, and also that the group were not members of the colleague of selectors to accord them the right to object the selection and consequent appointment of the Rekna of Bashar conducted on the 23rd of December 2024.

They further presented the following clarifications to support their position;

“Permit us to state in response to the specific claims of
those ‘unnamed stakeholders’ who addressed the Press on the 8
th day of July 2024, as contained in their Press Statement as follows, that:

(i)
the selection of HRH Alhaji Abdullahi Idris, as the Rekna of Bashar, is in tandem with the customs of the Bashar people. HRH Alhaji Abdullahi Idris is undoubtedly a member of the Ruling House of Bashar, and his selection was through a proper selection process by the kingmakers. ALHAJI ABDULLAHI IDRIS, ascension to the throne derives his legitimacy from the fact that he is a member of the Ruling House of Bashar Chiefdom, as demonstrated by the
fact that the past Reknas of Bashar are members of the same Ruling family as HRH ALHAJI ABDULLAHI IDRIS.”

“(ii) the selection exercise of 23rd December 2022, of ALHAJI ABDULLAHI IDRIS as the Rekna of Bashar was conducted in accordance with regulations and customary practice governing the selection of the Rekna of Bashar.”

“(iii) the Petitioners contended that there were irregularities introduced by former Local Government Chairman, but failed to identify what these irregularities were, as to vitiate the selection exercise. It is inconceivable that the press conference of 8th July, 2024 complained of a committee visit on 26th November 2022, to Bashar town to brief the Kingmakers on the selection process as an irregularity. How do the Petitioners expect the committee to conduct a selection process, without having interaction with the Kingmakers to brief them on the procedure or the rules of engagement for the selection
exercise?”

“(iv) we have had the opportunity to interact with the Kingmakers to the stool of the Rekna of Bashar, and the assertion that the Chairman of Wase Local Government Area, Dr. Ado Abubakar Buba bypassed protocol by inviting the
kingmakers, is clearly not correct. The claim that the Kingmakers were put under pressure by the former Chairman is unsubstantiated. None of the kingmakers who participated in the selection exercise, and voted has challenged the selection. What then form the basis for persons who describe themselves as stakeholders to speak the revered kingmakers of Bashar Chiefdom in the discharge and performance of their traditional duties?”

“(v) the Petitioners alleged that the date for the selection exercise was manipulated from the 2nd to the 13th of December 2022. We have it on record that the selection exercise that took place on the 23rd December 2022 was
not postponed to that date due to any interference by the former Chairman of the Local Government Council. Besides, none of the Kingmakers who were entitled to complain ever complained of any alleged manipulation. The purported stakeholders did not state how the Chairman interfered with the selection process.”

“(vi) the Petitioners alleged that four of the five kingmakers were abducted on the 16th day of December 2022 by the former ‘Chairman and his associates presumably to influence the selection outcome.’ Quite apart from the fact that there is not justifiable basis for this allegation, it is a criminal offence which is clearly defamatory of Alhaji Ado Buba. We make a clarion on the security agencies to swing into action and investigate the allegation with a view to prosecuting the authors of the press statement.”

“(vii) the Petitioners reiterated their allegation of abduction of kingmakers, and asserted that the selection exercise of 23rd December 2022 was under duress. Once again, none of the stakeholders identified themselves as a kingmaker or candidate at the selection. The alleged stakeholders ignorantly made reference to the violation of their right of fair hearing. The alleged stakeholders failed to show what fair hearing and in respect of what is this imaginary breach of fair hearing claimed to have been violated. Who are these ‘persons’ whose right to fair hearing is alleged to have been violated?”

“Strange enough not a single person is identified as to have complained of violation of his right to fair hearing. The authors of the press statement also failed to state how the former chairman participated in the process or exerted undue political process. Once again, none of the kingmakers have challenged the selection process in any court known to law.”

“(viii) the authors also made reference to the complaint they purportedly forwarded to former Governor Simon Bako Lalong. None of the undersigned or anyone of us is privy to the alleged correspondence. We however wish to state that the allegation of political affiliation of the Rekna of Bashar is false.”

“(ix) the authors of the press statement also alleged that Alhaji Abdullahi Idris is in the employment of the Federal Government. This allegation as in others is a fabricated imagination of the authors. We are aware that the Rekna of Bashar only holds the stool of the Rekna of Bashar, and is not in the employment of the Federal Government.”

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Wase LGA: Stakeholders and the 5 Kingmakers in the selection of Rekna of Bashar reply group over claims that Alhaji Abdulahi Idris was not properly selected