Inspired by Governor Simon Lalong’s efforts to restructure the Plateau state traditional council, a few members of the Gadai ruling clan in Mangu local government area of Plateau State have called on Governor Simon Bako Lalong to implement the February 1 Supreme Court judgement which purportedly upheld the 2004 election of Alhaji Hudu Ibrahim Manomi as the Sum-Pyem of Pyem chiefdom.

In a letter to the Department of State Services (DSS) in the state, the Gadai group stated that; “the illegal parading of Mr. Charles Mato Dakat as the Sum-Pyem of Pyem Chiefdom is in contravention of the subsisting and binding decision and orders of the Supreme Court”.

The letter, which was signed by seven members including Alhaji Abdulganiyu Abubakar and Saidu Suleiman Jelka, alleged rising security threat in the community if the acting Sum-Pyem continues to parade himself as the paramount ruler.

It would be recalled that after the 2004 attempts to elect Alh Manomi, two members of the Gadai ruling house; Joseph Mato Dakat and JCK Mallum challenged his eligibility and the selection process, setting the path for a 15-year legal tussle which was finally laid to rest by the Supreme Court in February.

However in 2013, Dakat’s brother, Charles Mato Dakat was selected as Sum-Pyem in an exercise conducted under the previous administration of Jonah David Jang.

When contacted, the outgoing Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dayyabu Garga, in a text message, stated that the state government was yet to make a pronouncement on the Supreme Court judgement but assured that something will be done soon.

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Group urge Lalong to replace Sum Pyem, Charles Dakat with Alhaji Hudu Manomi