From Celestine Ihejirika, Jalingo
The member representing Yorro State Constituency in the Taraba State House of Assembly, Hon. Joseph Kannoh Kassong, has dismissed allegations reportedly made against him by the Mumuye Traditional Ruler, Alhaji Ado Adamu Mazang II, describing claims of extorting money from residents and questions surrounding his identity of origin as baseless.
Speaking in an interview with our correspondent in Jalingo on Monday, Kassong said he would never allow himself to be intimidated or manipulated by any traditional institution to undermine the administration of Governor Agbu Kefas in the state.
Reacting to allegations that he extorted money from residents under the guise of creating new districts and villages and facilitating the appointment of traditional rulers, the lawmaker expressed shock that a respected paramount ruler could engage in actions capable of creating confusion and undermining the good intentions of Governor Agbu Kefas’ administration.
According to him, available indications suggest that the traditional ruler may have become disconnected from current realities, adding that his actions and allegations were malicious and capable of inviting anarchy in Mumuye land.
The lawmaker insisted that he would neither be intimidated nor deterred from carrying out his constitutional responsibilities as a lawmaker and a member of the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
He alleged that the monarch’s opposition to the creation of new districts in Yorro Local Government Area stemmed from concerns that such a move would reduce the powers of the chiefdom and affect what he described as illegal financial impositions on residents.
The lawmaker maintained that the allegations against him were unfounded, arguing instead that his office had received several complaints from members of the public over alleged activities within the Mumuye Chiefdom Palace.
He further alleged that residents reported that money was collected from district heads and community members with assurances that they would be elevated to the status of Third Class Chiefs through directives purportedly issued by Governor Agbu Kefas.
Kassong maintained that no official directive had been issued by the governor and that no legislation establishing new Third Class Chiefdoms had been passed or gazetted.
Among those reportedly mentioned in the complaints, our correspondent gathered, were Mr. Anthony Anjo Mashi, who allegedly paid ₦2 million and provided two cows in connection with his appointment as District Head of Unkwa; Alhaji Abubakar Adamu of Gongon Kogi; Mr. Gambia Vossi, JP, of Bariki; and Mr. Isa Barkindo Lanko of Nyaja, all of whom were alleged to have made payments linked to promised elevations in traditional status.
The lawmaker also alleged that district and village heads within the chiefdom were not receiving their salaries regularly despite monthly government releases, claiming they were allegedly paid only once every three months.
Describing the allegations as serious, Kassong called on the relevant government authorities to carry out a transparent and impartial investigation instead of resorting to what he described as personal attacks.
He reaffirmed his commitment to protecting the interests of his constituents and pledged to continue speaking on issues affecting their welfare.
It would be recalled that the Mumuye monarch had publicly accused the legislator of exploiting residents through alleged illegal collections and interfering with established traditional boundaries.
