Gbagyi Community in Niger Threatens to Dump APC

Laleye Dipo in Minna

The Gbagyi tribe which constitutes the second largest ethnic group in Niger State is set to dump the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) before 2019.

The resolution was taken at the Diko Day and cultural festival organised by the Diko Community Development Association in Diko town, Suleja Local Government Area of the state tuesday.

The major grouse of the Gbagys is their alleged marginalisation by the APC government of Governor Abubakar Sani Bello.

At the festival which was turned to a political gathering, the speakers pointed the lopsidedness in the appointments into the cabinet of the state government, and asked for a drastic action to be taken in the next election

“Be it resolved that the Gbagy people in the Niger East senatorial district will no longer support any government that does not recognise us in the appointment of its principal officers,” Senator David Umaru who was chairman of the ceremony, stated after a heated debate.

He continued: “Today, the main principal offices of the Niger State Government does not take into cognizance the fact that the Gbagyi constitute the second largest ethnic group in this state.

“This is against the constitution which states that every government must reflect the cultural diversity of its people. I want us to resolve today, that the Gbagyi people will not support any government that discriminates against them.”

Seconding the motion, Dr. Yussuf Larry Ayuba, argued that the Gbagyi people have gone through all kind of destitution at every point in time and were ignored when it mattered most,” adding that “we cannot continue to work and get nothing.

“We are tired of grumbling. We will no longer grumble and go home and pretend that there is nothing wrong with us. We should not celebrate mediocrity. Community interest will always protect personal interest better,” Ayuba said.
He continued that “there is no personal interest that can override community interest. Therefore we Gbagyi people have resolved that we will not support any government that will not recognize us in government.

Ayuba therefore called on the Niger state government to review the appointments of the principal officers from the office of the Deputy Governor, SSG, Head of Service and the rest of them.

The motion was unanimously adopted by the large number of people that graced the festival.
In a goodwill message, the 2015 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Umar Nasko, urged the Gbagyi people to be united and uphold their rich heritage.

David Umaru said the Gbagyi’s were blessed with a Senator that is bold enough to speak for them when necessary, therefore they should give him their maximum support.