Hon. Joseph Kasong
Traditional ruler of the Mumuye people in Yoro Local Government Area of Taraba State, HRM Ado Adamu Mazang, has accused the member representing Yoro State Constituency in the Taraba State House of Assembly, Hon. Joseph Kasong, of allegedly collecting millions of naira from residents under the guise of creating new districts and appointing district heads.
The monarch also alleged that the lawmaker’s actions were fueling tension within the Yoro Chiefdom by attempting to alter traditional boundaries and create districts that do not exist.
Speaking with our correspondent in a telephone interview from Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, Mazang claimed that the lawmaker had initiated moves to transfer three districts currently under the Yoro Chiefdom to another chiefdom, a development he said has heightened anxiety among his subjects.
> “Number one, there are three districts under my Chiefdom, Hon. Kasong has been initiating ways to move them to another Chiefdom, the issue has created very high tension among my subjects, the people want to go into war over the issue.”
The monarch further alleged that individuals being considered for appointment as district heads were made to pay large sums of money.
> “Secondly, the people he want to appoint as new districts heads, he has been collecting money from them in huge amounts. As a member house of assembly, we know that this is not his responsibility.”
Mazang said he initially believed the lawmaker was acting on the directive of the state government and made several attempts to seek clarification.
> “As I got the information, since he is the member representing us at the state house of assembly, I thought may be is the governor that mandated him with the responsibilities, I called him to find out, he did not pick my calls, I sent him text messages, he did not respond.”
He added that he later sent the Vice Chairman of Yoro Local Government Council to facilitate a meeting, but the effort was unsuccessful.
> “I sent the vice chairman of Yoro local government council to explain to him why I wanted to see him, he promised to see when I go to Jalingo, he refused to listen to me even when I went to Jalingo, as a leader, I know that if I keep quiet, people may misunderstand me.”
According to the monarch, he subsequently convened a meeting with affected residents to calm rising tensions and advised them against paying money to anyone over the proposed districts.
> “That was why I called on the affected people and explained to them, those he was collecting money from them should desist from give him money, those who were agitated over movement of their districts to other Chiefdom should also not panic.”
He insisted that any official plan to create districts or alter traditional structures would ordinarily involve the traditional council.
> “I told them if there is anything from the government, we are the traditional council members and possibly we must be informed. Not just our member house of assembly that would know.”
The monarch further alleged that the lawmaker had already collected money from several people and was proposing the creation of about 30 new districts.
> “This is what happened, he collected money from so many people, he has proposed about 30 districts that he want to create.”
When contacted for his reaction, Hon. Joseph Kasong declined to comment on the allegations. He also did not respond to repeated text messages seeking his response as of the time this report was filed.
