Taraba community seeks separate ward over alleged marginalisation

The Munga Dosso community in Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State has appealed to Governor Agbu Kefas to consider creating a separate electoral ward for the community.

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The community’s appeal was contained in a petition signed by Ishmael Thomas, national president of the Munga Dosso Development Association (MDA) and issued to journalists on Wednesday in Jalingo, the state capital.

The community cited years of inadequate infrastructure, limited political representation and alleged exclusion from government development projects.

It also urged the governor to intervene over its alleged exclusion from a ₦200 million development project for the Bikwin area, preserve the distinct identities of Munga Dosso and Munga Lelau, and address concerns about social media publications it considers capable of causing tension between the two communities.

In the petition, the association said it had submitted several appeals to government authorities, from the grassroots to the state level, without receiving a satisfactory response. It cited 28 August as the date of its most recent petition.

The community said that although it is politically part of Bikwin Ward, it has received little or no benefit from government development projects over the years.

It listed the absence of a government primary healthcare centre, government-constructed culverts, government-provided boreholes and accessible roads among its concerns.

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The association argued that the situation warranted government attention, particularly given what it described as the community’s population, voting strength and contributions to the electoral success of successive administrations.

Community seeks greater political representation

The association said Munga Dosso remained disadvantaged in Bikwin Ward because of its distinct ethnic identity and affiliation with another community association.

According to the petition, while other communities in the ward are united under the Bikwin Association, Munga Dosso belongs to the JCDA, which the association linked to the Jenjo extraction.

It said this arrangement had left Munga Dosso struggling to secure adequate representation and access to political appointments, development projects and other government benefits.

The association alleged that its interests were sometimes overshadowed by those of other communities and that projects intended to benefit the wider area did not always adequately accommodate Munga Dosso.

It cited Bambuka and Dadiya as examples of communities it said had benefited through different political and community structures. It also mentioned Bandawa and Kunini, which it said maintained distinct wards despite belonging to the Bakula Association.

The petition identified Gwomu as the only community in Bikwin Ward with a population and voting strength comparable to or greater than Munga Dosso’s.

The figures and comparisons cited by the association were not independently verified.

Seeks inclusion in ₦200m development project

The association also appealed to the governor to ensure that Munga Dosso receives an equitable share of a ₦200 million development intervention reportedly provided for the Bikwin area.

It said representatives of the community attended a meeting with Bikwin stakeholders before the funds were released but alleged that Munga Dosso was subsequently excluded from the projects implemented with the money.

The association described the alleged exclusion as a source of concern, arguing that the community’s population, electoral contributions and lack of basic infrastructure should be considered in the distribution of development interventions.

It asked Mr Kefas to intervene to ensure that Munga Dosso benefits from the project.

The petition did not provide details of the project’s approved components, the criteria for selecting beneficiaries or the amounts allocated to individual communities.

Community seeks preservation of distinct identities

The association also urged the state government to help preserve the distinct identities of Munga Dosso and Munga Lelau.

It said the two communities had maintained separate names and identities since their ancestors granted land to the people of Munga Lelau to settle.

However, the association expressed concern about the use of the name “Munga” without the suffix “Lelau” in some contexts, saying this created ambiguity about the two communities’ identities and the representation of their interests.

It specifically questioned the registration and use of the name Munga Development Association (MUDA), arguing that it could be confused with the existing Munga Dosso Development Association.

The association asked the relevant authorities to review the name and, where appropriate under the law, ensure that it clearly identifies the community it represents.

It said the clarification would help prevent confusion over community representation and the distribution of development benefits.

Raises concerns over online publications

The association also drew the governor’s attention to a Facebook platform known as Munga Galleries, which it believes members of the Munga Lelau community manage.

It alleged that some publications on the platform could create misunderstanding and hostility between Munga Dosso and Munga Lelau.

According to the petition, Munga Dosso leaders had raised their concerns with the Munga Lelau leadership on two occasions, including during organised meetings, but the situation had yet to be resolved.

The association said the issue was also discussed at a meeting attended by the chairperson of Karim Lamido Local Government Area, Virginia Baba Bambur, who reportedly cautioned against actions capable of causing conflict between the communities.

It said community elders had continued to appeal to young people to remain calm and exercise restraint despite what they considered provocative online publications.

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The association urged the relevant authorities to investigate the allegations and, in accordance with the law, take action against anyone found responsible for publishing false or unlawful material capable of inciting conflict.

The allegations against the platform and its administrators were not independently verified, and the petition did not identify specific posts or include a response from the platform’s administrators.

Lists nine villages for proposed ward

As part of its demands, the association asked the state government to support creating a separate Munga Dosso Ward, subject to the relevant constitutional and administrative procedures.

It listed nine villages that it said could form the proposed ward: Bwai, Bugbamui, Bunkawai, Bunkaubu, Bunkachi, Mudang, Bukadui, Bukaregwag and Nwaminshi.

The association estimated that the nine villages have a combined population of between 120,000 and 150,000, although the figure was not independently verified.

It argued that a separate ward would give the community greater political recognition and improve its representation in local governance.

The association reiterated its request for equitable inclusion in the ₦200 million development intervention and called for measures to preserve the distinct identities of Munga Dosso and Munga Lelau.

It also urged the authorities to address its concerns about online publications that it believes could threaten peaceful coexistence.

The association described Munga Dosso as a peaceful and law-abiding community committed to the unity and development of Taraba State.

It said it was ready to meet with the governor and provide further clarification on its grievances, while reaffirming its commitment to peaceful coexistence with neighbouring communities.