15/12/2024
Resolving the BCDU Leadership Crisis : A call to Action for Bassa Traditional Rulers
By Usman Dalhatu Abubakar
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08149395668
Sunday;
15th December, 2024
The Bassa people are blessed with a rich cultural heritage, spanning across several states in Nigeria's Middle Belt, and a few other parts of the country. Each state boasts prominent traditional Bassa leaders. These leaders are revered for their wisdom and serve as custodians of Bassa culture and traditions.
Like other traditional leaders in Nigeria and Africa, Bassa traditional leaders are responsible for maintaining peace and order within their territory. They also play a vital role in linking their communities with the government. Meanwhile, to complement their efforts in facilitating community development, the Bassa Cultural and Development Union (BCDU) was established.
The BCDU is the apex socio-cultural body for all Bassa people in Nigeria, with braches at state, local government and as well of wards and zonal level which bring people together regardless of their state of origin, religion, or political ideology. Its primary objective is to represent Bassa interests, promote peace, unity, and development, and link Bassa communities with the government.
Unfortunately, the BCDU has been plagued by a decade-long leadership crisis, resulting in factional governance. Each faction claims to represent the Bassa community's interests. However, this internal crisis has misled the populace and projected the BCDU as a body without a defined structure.
Despite both parties working towards the same goal of ensuring the growth and development of the Bassa people, the lack of a nationally accepted leader has highlighted the disorganization, structurelessness, and lawlessness within the community. This contradictory behavior has become a habit, as previous leadership was also marred by factionalism.
The consistent factional leadership has not only divided the community but to so some extend hindered our progress and or undermining solidarity and eroding our values. Therefore the need to come together and speak in one voice will significantly helps in addressing our pressing issues such as the ongoing peacemaking efforts between the Bassa and Egbura of Toto Local Governments Area of Nasarawa State and to facilitate the home returning of over 200, 000 Bassas who were affected by the inter-ethnic conflict.
The total silence from traditional leaders is alarming. As custodians of Bassa customs and traditions, traditional leaders known as the Agumas have absolute executive, legislative, and judicial powers. Therefore, it is imperative for the Bassa traditional institution, also known for its neutrality, trustworthiness, and political independence, to intervene in the ongoing BCDU leadership crisis.
The Agumas should bring both parties together, ensuring peacemaking through reconciliation and mediation for the progress of the Bassa people. Worth noting, as an independent institution, the self-proclaimed leaders are not immune to the power of our Agumas.
Therefore, without prejudice, traditional leaders should intervene and reconcile the conflicting parties, regardless of fault. In addressing the decade-long crisis, the Agumas should adopt and facilitate mediation, tracing the root causes of the factional leadership and treating them fairly.
In conclusion, the Bassa people are too small to be divided. As my childhood teacher, Prince Abdulmalik Wukara, wisely said, "Yawi gata twasu buga bana tunwi." Unity is vital. Let's work towards resolving the BCDU leadership crisis and restoring our tribe's reputation.
DISCLAIMER:
This piece is not part of my official duties as the Chief Press Secretary to the BCDU National President, Chief Dr. Peter Tukura. However, having critically observed the happenings in the leadership of the Bassa Cultural and Development Union National Headquarters, I deem it fit to compose this as my little way of contributing to the unity and progress of the Bassa people in Nigeria.
