FIC Report (Taraba State) – Fresh tension is brewing in Sansani Chiefdom of Gassol Local Government Area in Taraba State over the recent selection of Bello Nuhu Mohammed Bello as the new Second Class Chief of Sansani, with some community members questioning the legitimacy of the process.
Bello Nuhu Mohammed Bello, who is now set to be known as Jankada the Third, emerged as the new chief after securing 6 out of the 7 votes cast by the King Makers at a gathering held at the Presidential Lodge in Jalingo on Monday, December 30, 2024.
He succeeds his younger brother, the late Abdulmutalib Nuhu Muhammed Bello, who was tragically assassinated on April 18, 2024, in his guest house in Sansani. The late Jankada the Second had served as both the District Head and Second Class Chief of Sansani Chiefdom for twelve years.
Before his election, Jankada the Third, Bello Nuhu Mohammed Bello, was the Acting Coordinator of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in Adamawa State. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education (B-ED) with a specialization in Electrical Engineering and a Postgraduate Diploma in Hospitality and Tourism Management. He is also a family man with three wives and ten children.
The election of the new chief has sparked mixed reactions with many community leaders, including the Ubandoman Sansani Chiefdom, Alhaji Bashiru Nuhu, Waziri Yusuf Bawa, Chief Imam Salihu Habu, and Sarkin Kudu Zulkifilu Sa’idu, have commended the decision made by the King Makers.
They praised the selection of Bello as the best choice for the people of Sansani Chiefdom, describing him as humble, principled, highly educated, and disciplined. These leaders expressed confidence that he has the qualities needed to lead the community effectively. They have urged the Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, to quickly endorse the election, install Bello as the new Jankada, and present him with a Staff of Office to bring peace to the community.
However, not all members of the community are in agreement with the selection process. A large group of residents, led by Ahmad Wakas has called for the cancellation of the election and a fresh selection process to be conducted by the legitimate King Makers.
The group argues that the selection was flawed, pointing out that key figures who have traditionally been part of the election process were not included in the proceedings.
According Wakas, Ibrahim Hassan, the village head of Gwoiwan Kogi; Yahya Salihu Sarkin Duku; Sarkin Yaki were omitted from the selection process
He noted that Gwoiwan Kogi; Yahya Salihu Sarkin Duku; Sarkin Yaki; Galadima of Sansani Chiefdom and the Chief Imam of Sansani are the legitimate King Makers who have historically been responsible for selecting the chief of Sansani.
However, he alleges that the names of some of these important King Makers—specifically Sarkin Duku and Ibrahim Hassan—were removed from the list of voters without proper justification.
Another member of Sansani Chiefdom, Hon Wali Sansani also raised concerns over the inclusion of individuals in the selection process who they believe were not entitled to participate.
He highlighted the involvement of Umaru Gindin Kogi, Yahya Adamu, Zulkifilu Saidu, and the Village Head of Nanguru, whom they argue, by law, should not have had a role in the selection process as Nanguru falls under Gassol Chiefdom and not Sansani Chiefdom.
According to these community members, the individuals who voted for Bello Nuhu Mohammed Bello did not have the legitimate right to select a chief for Sansani, and they are calling for a more transparent and inclusive selection process.
FIC Jalingo gathered that, the community remains divided over the legitimacy of the selection of Bello Nuhu Mohammed Bello, with one side supporting the decision and the other demanding a fresh and fair election process.
Signed
Jibrin Hussaini
Head of FIC Jalingo Taraba State
