Why we booed Reps minority whip at Waja cultural festival – Balanga Youths

There was a mild drama on Saturday during the annual celebration of the most important and revered cultural gathering in Waja Land known as the ‘Toyir WiiH’ meaning It’s our culture.

This drama which created some chaotic moment with the arrival of the House of Representatives Minority Whip, Ali Isah J. C. a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, representing the Balanga/Billiri Federal Constituency of Gombe State was alleged by some youths to have arrived late to the festival.

The long-awaited festival started with high expectation in the beautiful town of Talasse as men, women, youths, children and people from all walks of life came out en masse, brimming with joy that God has given them another chance to celebrate the festival as a people with a view to preserving the cultural heritage of the Waja people.

The event, due to its importance within and outside Gombe State, had dignitaries of high calibre starting with His Excellency, Gov. Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State represented by his deputy Dr Manassah Daniel Jatau, Boss Mustapha, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, who served from 2017 to 2023, Distinguish Senator Anthony Siyako Yaro Senator Representing Gombe South Senatorial District.

Others include Hon Usman Bello Kumo, Chief Whip Federal House of Representatives, the Chairman, Balanga Local Government Area in Gombe State, Mr. Ibrahim Salihu and Members of Gombe State House of Assembly.

However, the arrival of Hon JC Isah, while the event had begun, angered some youths who chanted “Ba mu yi, canji dole” contextually meaning “We are not in support, change is necessary.”

Mr Kandi Othman, 35-year-old resident of Bagenare said the decision to boo the Reps member by the youths was as a result of the lawmaker’s regular disregard for the people and culture of the land.

Othman said that it had become the habit of the lawmaker to always treat such kinds of events with disrespect by coming late.
“This is the major reason we booed him because he is our representative, and he ought to live up to expectations.”

For his part, Abubakar Usman said “if Gov. Inuwa, Boss Mustapha, Senator Anthony Siyako Yaro and Usman Bello could arrive for the event early, why will our own representative be coming late?

Usman said such attitude of disrespect had become too frequent and unbearable for them, adding “I think we deserve plenty respect for our culture and tradition from him(Isah J.C).”

Babangida Temenbu, another youth, said it was painful to see that those who have been elected to serve will be disregarding those who elected them, “This is why we expressed our displeasure.”

Jamerma Jandiya said that the good people of Waja Land deserved an apology from the lawmaker, “what do you expect from others, if your own disrespects his own cultural heritage.”

Jandiya said that the lawmaker must recognise that he is representing the people of Balanga/Billiri Federal Constituency as well as their cultures and everything that the people represent.

“We didn’t boo him because we hate him but to show our dislike for how he treats us regularly and even today of all days.”