By Jamilu Mohammad
A committee led by Aletsho of Gboloko Mallam Abdulmalik Jibrin, set up by Bassa Local Government Chairman Hon Theophilus Daruwana Adama, is accused of bias in vetting contestants for the Etsu Bassan’ge Royal title.
The majority of the contestants alleges the committee favours Gowon Umaru Eri even before the veting commence
This has raised concerns of unfairness and potential community tensions in Gboloko, Bassa Local Government Area.
In a protest letter send to newsmen in Lokoja on Saturday stated that some of the kingmakers, the Local Government chairman, Hon Theophilus Daruwana Adama and commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mall. Mohammed Muktar Shuaibu allegedly set up a purported Committee to vet all contestant but later found out that the chairman of the committee, Aletcho of Gboloko, Mallam Abdulmalik Jibrin, was earlier canvassing for one of the contestant, Mr. Gowon Umoru Eri while his secretary, Mallam Adamu seidu is a family member and relation of the contestant, Gowon Umoru Eri, this they said if not checked or corrected, it can. lead to disputes.
According to them, “the screening or vet committee earlier told us that the meeting will commence by 10am, but we were at the venue by 10:00 am dot but was surprised that the venue was empty”, We are told to be at the screening venue by 10am on Saturday, 14th March, 2026, we waited up till 2pm on same day and met an empty hall at BNASS Secondary school, Gboloko, we are on ground for the screening, the security agencies saw us and we greeted with them but the committee were no where to be found, we have to leave back to our various destination”, they said.
But, surprisingly, we later found out that the committee went ahead with the conduct of the screening without other contestants, parading some individuals such as one Chief Onismus Egbunu and Mr. Jonah A. Atumye, arranged to take the place of the real contestants who represents their various ruling houses.
One of the contestants further said majority of them are not happy with the conduct of the committee members, accused them of been biased already, adding that such plans is linked to political actors in Bassa seeking to impose a candidate of their choice.
He accused the committee of holding the screening at late hours after others have left the venue, a plot to conduct a biased, “ambush” vetting process, which would not be acceptable by us,” he said.
”We, therefore kicked against the
Imposition of Candidate, because there is sinister moves and attempt to foist a particular candidate on the community, ignoring established, long-standing customs”,
”We have respected legitimate kingmakers among the 14 Gagos who are honest and transparent in Gboloko Emirates but were bypassed by local government chairman and commissioner in Bassa, they deliberately appoints the Aletcho of Bassa and his committee Secretary, to ensure a preferred candidate emerged”.
Traditional institutions often become political when their cultural roles, such as community leadership, peace-building are leveraged for electoral power.
While meant to preserve heritage, these structures are increasingly influenced by political actors and selective recognition, merging traditional authority with political agenda.
The agrieved contestants uses the medium to called on the attention of the Honourable Commissioner for local Government and Chieftancy Affairs, Kogi state, Barr M.S Ozigi Deedat and his management team on the biased actions by the so called Vet Committee which may cause tension, insecurity, and division in Bassa community, if not done in accordance to the native law and custom.
