Drama as Senators Disagree over Communal Clashes in Adamawa, Gombe

Drama as Senators Disagree over Communal Clashes in Adamawa, Gombe

By Deji Elumoye and Udora Orizu

A mild drama ensued on the floor of the Senate yesterday when Senator Dauda Yaroe (PDP Adamawa South) and Senator Danjuma Goje (APC Gombe Central) disagreed on the solution to the communal clashes between Waja and Lugunda ethnic groups in the Southern axis of the two states.

Yaroe, who moved a motion entitled: “Urgent Call for a stop to the Communal Clashes between the Waja and Lugunda Communities in Gombe South and Adamawa South Senatorial Districts,” had called on the Senate to send delegation to the two communities in Balanga Local Government Area of Gombe State and Guyuk Local Government Area in Adamawa State, with the sole aim of preaching peaceful co-existence to the warring communities.

He also urged traditional rulers of Waja Chiefdom in Gombe State and Lugunda Chiefdom in Adamawa State to impress upon their subjects the need to maintain the peace and avoid any resort to self-help in settling disputes.

However, Goje, who was a former Governor of Gombe State, seconded the motion but punctured it by declaring that it is not delegation from the Senate that should go to the areas but governors of the affected states.

He insisted that the Gombe State Governor, Mr. Inuwa Yahaya, had visited the affected communities in Gombe State and restored peace.

Goje said: ‘’On our part in Gombe State, no problem from any of the affected communities as the trouble shooting governor had visited the area and restored peace. However, such peace promoting visitation expected from the Adamawa State Governor, Mr. Ahmadu Umar Fintiri, has not been carried out.

‘’So, instead of calling for a Senate delegation to visit the warring communities, the resolution should be on the Adamawa State Governor to visit the affected communities in his own state.’’

But the President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, stressed that political and traditional leaders in the affected areas, should be called upon to work for peace in the affected areas rather than the governors.

Yaroe at a media briefing after the plenary said that Goje got it wrong by alleging that the Adamawa State Governor had not visited the affected communities.

He said: “I was taken aback by submissions made by Senator Danjuma Goje on the motion I sponsored and which he seconded. Governor Fintiri had visited the affected communities in Guyuk LGA of Adamawa State and to a very great extent, restored peace in the area.

“I felt belittled by Goje’s submission, alleging that the Adamawa State Governor had not made the right move towards restoring peace in the affected communities. How could somebody who seconded a motion, turn around to be puncturing it?”

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