TANGALE COMMUNITY OVERSEAS
Dear Tangale Sons and Daughters,
We, the United Tangale Socio-Cultural Groups and Elders, issue this Open Letter to the Tangale people at home and in the diaspora in response to a document circulating on social media, purported to be a resolution of a meeting allegedly convened by the Chairperson of Billiri Local Government Council (LGC) together with District Heads within the LGA.
If this document is indeed authentic—particularly as it bears a future date of 11 January 2026—we hereby call on all Tangale sons and daughters to disregard it entirely.
The said resolution lacks legitimacy, and is of no legal, moral, customary, or institutional effect on the Tangale people or on any Tangale socio-cultural institution. The legitimacy of Tangale leadership derives exclusively from the collective will of the Tangale people, expressed through their duly constituted assemblies and electoral processes, and not from government officials, political office holders, or externally convened meetings.
The Chairperson of Billiri LGA and the District Heads are public officers whose authority is limited to their statutory and customary mandates. Any attempt by them to determine, impose, recognize, or invalidate leadership within Tangale socio-cultural institutions constitutes an unlawful interference in the internal affairs of the Tangale people and an abuse of public office carried out for political convenience.
For the avoidance of doubt, we are fully aware of the authentic voices of our traditional rulers. The said resolution does not reflect their free, informed, or voluntary position. Their attendance and the attachment of their names were secured under compulsion and should not be construed as consent or endorsement.
MANDATE AND LEGAL STANDING OF TANGALE SOCIO-CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS
The Tangale Community Development Association (TCDA), the Tangale Community Overseas (TCO), and the Kwagam Tangle Socio-Cultural Association (KTSCA) are independent, community-founded, and people-governed institutions.
Their leaderships are elected by the Tangale people in accordance with their respective constitutions and internal electoral frameworks. They are not created, appointed, validated, or controlled by any government authority. Accordingly, these bodies possess the lawful and moral authority to speak and act on behalf of the Tangale nation.
No government, local authority, political office holder, District Head, or external actor has the competence or jurisdiction to impose leadership upon, confer recognition on, or invalidate decisions taken by these Tangale institutions acting within their constitutional mandates.
ON THE TCDA LEADERSHIP
The circulating resolution purports to recognize a so-called TCDA leadership headed by one Mr. Lamiya, thereby falsely suggesting the existence of factional leadership within the TCDA. This claim is false, misleading, and constitutionally unsustainable. Mr. Lamiya is not recognized by any TCDA branch, nor is he known to represent any branch within the TCDA structure.
For the record, Mr. Lamiya was purportedly appointed as a Caretaker Committee Chairman of TCDA by the non-Tangale man resident in Poshiya, an act that is procedurally defective, and without any effect. That purported appointment collapsed upon announcement in 2021, which explains why Mr. Lamiya, the “one-man show TCDA” has been unable to convene any TCDA General Assembly, congress, or recognized meeting since then.
His continued presentation as a TCDA leader is therefore institutionally baseless, and socially rejected by the Tangale people. Whosoever wants to associate with him should continue to deceive themselves.
STATUS, STRUCTURE, AND ELECTORAL AUTHORITY OF TCDA
The TCDA is not an agency, department, or appendage of the Gombe State Government or Billiri LGA. It requires no endorsement, ratification, or recognition from any government authority or District Head to exist or function.
The Association was established by the Tangale people as its apex body to promote, protect, and defend Tangale socio-cultural, socio-economic, and socio-political interests. It operates under a valid constitution, with a defined chain of command and an electoral college vested with authority to elect its national leadership.
Accordingly, the TCDA is not subject to external control by District Heads, local government officials, or non-Tangale actors.
The TCDA General Assembly, comprising the leadership of all TCDA branches nationwide and the leadership of the Seven Tul Mana Associations, is the supreme decision-making authority of the Association.
Pursuant to this authority, the General Assembly duly elected the current TCDA National Leadership under Comrade Danladi Bako in April 2025. The election was transparent, and conducted strictly in line with TCDA electoral rules. It was endorsed by the Tangale Community Overseas (TCO), the Kwagam Tangale Socio-Cultural Association (KTSCA), Tangale elders, and notable Tangale sons and daughters. It was a purely Tangale process, free of manipulation or rigging.
FACTS KNOWN TO THE BILLIRI LGA CHAIRPERSON
The Chairperson of Billiri LGA cannot feign ignorance of the following established facts:
- In February 2025, she convened a Tangale stakeholders’ meeting where participants resolved that the then Acting TCDA leadership under Mr. P. T. Gambo and the so-called “one-man show” Lamiya faction should end all divisions and proceed to elections.
- The minutes of that meeting are in our possession and will be made public.
- The resolution mirrored the decision of the TCDA General Assembly of December 2024 and was formally communicated by the Chairperson to the Gombe State Government.
- Elections were conducted accordingly, resulting in the emergence of Comrade Danladi Bako as National President.
- The Chairperson has formally received and met with Comrade Danladi Bako in November 2025 in her office in his capacity as National President of the TCDA.
- The Gombe State Commissioner of Police officially invited and met with Comrade Danladi Bako (President) and Mr. Reuben Bauna (General Secretary) of TCDA.
- The invitation letter clearly identified Comrade Danladi Bako as National President of TCDA.
- The meeting was attended by the Chairperson of Billiri LGA, the Commissioner for Justice, and the Commissioner for Environment.
- The Chairperson personally made several attempts to arrange a visit between Comrade Danladi Bako and the Governor in his capacity as TCDA President. Comrade Bako declined.
Given these facts, the sudden denial of the TCDA’s elected leadership can only be interpreted as a politically motivated reversal driven by the inability of certain interests to control the TCDA.
We are not concerned with the opinions of the Chairperson or her political masters. We move on.
CLARIFICATION OF CURRENT LEADERSHIP
For the avoidance of doubt, Comrade Danladi Bako presided over the TCDA Annual General Assembly held on 26 December 2025, with full representation of all TCDA branches, and the Seven (7) Tul Mana Associations.
Accordingly, we state without reservation that:
- Comrade Danladi Bako is the legitimate President of the TCDA, and
- He is currently the recognized custodian of Tangale culture
We know our leader. We follow him. The leadership of Billiri LGA knows this. The Gombe State Government knows this.
ON HOMAGE TO THE GOVERNOR
Our position remains firm and unequivocal: GOVERNOR INUWA YAHAYA DOES NOT DESERVE ANY HOMAGE FROM THE TANGALE PEOPLE.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya, a Hausa-Fulani man, presides over a political structure whose actions toward the Tangale people have consistently conveyed an expectation of submission rather than mutual respect. He has denied the Tangale people developmental projects vital to our communities and imposed a non-Tangale man as Mai Tangle, in violation of our cultural requirements and traditions. The Tangale people therefore find it necessary to state, clearly and without hostility, that such expectations are fundamentally misplaced, and that Governor Inuwa Yahaya does not merit homage, allegiance, or recognition from our people.
The Tangale people are not Hausa-Fulani, nor are we politically, culturally, or historically subordinate to the Hausa-Fulani. We are an autonomous indigenous people with a distinct language, culture, history, and system of traditional governance. We are Middle Belters by identity and history, and the fact that the Nigerian map situates Tangale territory within Southern Gombe does not alter, dilute, or redefine who we are.
Historically, attempts by Fulani forces to overrule indigenous minority peoples through conquest and domination were resisted by our forefathers. Today, similar objectives are being pursued through modern political instruments—the use of state power, administrative coercion, and institutional manipulation to achieve what could not be secured by force in the past. The Tangale people categorically reject this approach.
Let it therefore be clearly understood: Governor Inuwa Yahaya should disabuse himself of any notion that the Tangale people will submit to his authority, his political style, or any framework of dominance that seeks to subordinate Tangale identity and autonomy. The Tangale people will not be absorbed, controlled, or redefined under any guise.
We seek coexistence based on equality, mutual respect, and lawful governance—not subjugation. Any political project premised on the assumption of Tangale submission is not only misguided but destined to fail.
FINAL NOTICE TO THE BILLIRI LGA CHAIRPERSON
To Madam Eglah: If you have political difficulties with your political masters, resolve them through political means. Do not drag the Tangale nation into your personal or political struggles.
We have witnessed public officers leave government honorably rather than compromise principle. If you choose to remain in office or politics, find lawful means to do so—but DO NOT USE THE NAME OF TANGALE. It will not work.
The Tangale people are an autonomous nation. We have been pushed to the wall, and we will not retreat. Our restraint must never be mistaken for fear or weakness.
CONCLUSION
To all Tangale sons and daughters at home and in diaspora—our unity, culture, and leadership are ours alone. The Tangale Community Development Association (TCDA) and its leadership, under the legitimate and duly elected President, Comrade Danladi Bako, is entrusted by the Tangale people to safeguard our traditions, advance our collective interests, and defend our autonomy. The Tangale Community Overseas (TCO) and the Kwagam Tangle Socio-Cultural Association (KTSCA) support this mandate, reinforcing our cohesion and shared purpose. No external authority, no political power, and no imposed agenda can override this people-given mandate.
We are Middle Belters by history, Tangale by blood, and proud of our identity. Let every Tangale man and woman stand firm, support our elected leadership, and uphold our customs. Our patience is our strength; our unity is our shield. Together, under TCDA and Comrade Danladi Bako, we will defend our heritage, protect our people, and ensure that Tangale autonomy, dignity, and culture endure for generations.
Let this be a call to action: remain united, remain vigilant, and remain proud. The Tangale nation stands resolute—undaunted by outside pressure, undivided in purpose, and unshakeable in defense of its identity.
Sincerely,
SIGNED
Mr. Reuben Bauna, General Secretary, TCDA
Major B. S. Uba (Retd), General Secretary, KTSCA
Mr. Iliya Kure, Ag. General Secretary, TCO
Mr. Hassan Sariel, Rep. Tangale Elders
10th January, 2025.