Bassa-Nge Kingdom: Communities cry to Kogi Govt, as stakeholders move to avert bloodshed

By Stanley Onyekwere

There is palpable tention over n
imminent breakdown of law and
order in Bassa-Nge Kingdom, Bassa
Local Government Area of Kogi State,
over an alleged hijack and abuse
of tradition and processes for the
selection of a new paramount ruler
(Etsu Bassa-Nge).


The affected communities within
the ancient kingdom have cried out
to critical leaders of the state,

Citing the mounting tension, capable of
shattering security in Bassa-Nge
and peaceful co-existence
amongst the people, following
the obvious desperate moves by
some political figures to destroy
the long-established principles and
figures to destroy the long-established principles and protocols of the traditional stool.


The development has triggered widespread concern, with many stakeholders describing the process as fundamentally flawed, provocative and capable of igniting serious conflict and avoidable bloodshed in the area.


A petition written and addressed to the Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Kogi State, by Abdulrahman Tanko, one of the lawyers of one of the ruling houses, alleged that there is an outright distortion of the longstanding and accepted tradition for the selection of Etsu Bassa-Nge.

In the petition, it was alleged that “ there are two Ruling Houses in Bassa-Nge District and it is on rotational basis. The two Ruling Houses are Nyakpa Ruling House where Amkpolo and Lerama descended. And, Etan Ruling House, where Maiyaki Mopa and Eri descended.
It further stated, “ that the rotational arrangement is acceptable and tenable that when Etan Ruling House is enthroned as Etsu Bassa-Nge, the 2nd Ruling House Nyakpa will produce the SHABA of Bassa-Nge indicating the Ruling House that will take the Throne of Etsu Bassa-Nge after the demise of the Reigning Etsu Bassa-Nge, and this procedure is Vice versa”.
Our reporter learnt that the brewing tension gathered steam after a meeting which reportedly held at the palace of the Aguma of Bassa, who chairs the Bassa Area Traditional Council, where there was a purported endorsement of a report emanating from the disputed “ Gago Committee”.


It was said that the disputed and unknown committee have screened candidates and recommended the appointment of Alhaji Yakubu Gowon Eri as the new Etsu Bassa-Nge.
Some critical leaders disclosed that such actions amount to “the smuggling of a candidate whose ruling house has just ruled for 22 years is intended to create crises and serious security problems for the state”.

Also, the stakeholders are worried that those planning the infamous hijack of the traditional stool have also gone ahead to announce via various social media platforms that they have unilaterally approved the appointment of a first class chief without reference to the appropriate government authorities.

This is said to a flagrant usurpation of the authority and absolutely disparaging to the roles of , Bassa-Nge Traditional Council , Bassa Local Government Traditional Council, The Local Government Chairman, The Commissioner and Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, The Executive Governor of Kogi State.

Moreover, there is a real fear that if this situation is not urgently addressed, it could degenerate into violence,” a community source warned. “We are talking about possible loss of lives and property if tempers are allowed to escalate.”

Equally troubling, according to critical stakeholders, is the perceived silence of relevant authorities in the face of these developments. The Kogi State Government has been commended for respecting the customs and traditions of communities in resolving chieftaincy matters across the State. Many stakeholders insist that the situation in Bassa-Nge land should not be treated differently.
“The law is clear, traditional rulers cannot be imposed on the people,” a commentator noted. “Any attempt to do so creates tension, civil unrest and opens the door to criminality.”



END