News Editor
By our correspondent in Jalingo
A group under the auspices of the Bali elite in Taraba State have reacted strongly to the allegation of nepotism against the member representing State Bali constituency by Samaila Umaru, who claimed to be a leader of a “faceless Bali elite group.”
In a statement issued in Jalingo on Tuesday, the chairman of the group, Eli Tumba, described the claims as politically motivated, declaring that it was a product of hatred and therefore baseless.
Mr Tumba who labeled Umaru as an “imposter” said “Samaila Umaru was not a member, and will never be a member of Elite Group because of his questionable character of pomposity, quest for leadership which he does not merit.
He urged Umaru to refrain from politicising administrative matters and distracting the hardworking lawmaker.
The statement reads in parts : “Our attention has been drawn to baseless, fruitless, concocted and false information by some power mongers and irrelevant persons claiming to be members of Elite Group Bali; and Samaila Umaru who claims to be its Chairman.
“In the fictitious baseless writeup, it was alleged that Veronica Alhassan has exhibited a habit of Nepotism and illegal removal of the Cashier of Bali Local Government, in person of David Dinishiya.
“We want to put it on record that Veronica Alhassan is a frank, factual, apt, trusted and humble politician with Godly characteristics, to say the least.
“For crying out loud, she is a lawmaker in the Taraba State House of Assembly and not at all, a Council member of Bali Local Government.
“Her jurisdiction is in law making and oversight functions. Thus, the purported claim of removing a Cashier does not arise as it is solely the responsibility of the Local Government Council.
“By coincidence, Mrs. Afiniki, the younger sister to Veronica Alhassan is a staff of the Finance Department of Bali and the next in that hierarchy, the axe falls on her. It is common sense that there is no vacuum in leadership.
“If Dinishiya has erred, can he be removed? Also of note is the fact that Samaila Umaru is never the Chairman of the elite group as claimed.
“Indeed, he was noticed to be working against the PDP in the just concluded governorship and House of Assembly Election in Bali. Sequel to his woeful defeat by Veronica Alhassan at the Primaries that produced her as the flag bearer.
“The general public may wish to know that Mr. Eli Tumba is the Chairman of the Elite Group with Emmanuel Bakari, Wanu Waziri, Charles Upav etc as active members.
“They all claimed ignorance of these baseless allegations against Veronica Alhassan.”
“Bali Youth have not rejected Veronica Alhassan as claimed. Besides, the 2027 campaign and election is coming, we shall prove them wrong.
“For now, her stewardship ranged from the sinking of numerous boreholes, construction of a dispensary at Kussum,
“Empowerment of Youths, Women and the disabled, employment for teeming youths both at National, State and Local levels, periodic assistance to Bali indigenes in tertiary institutions, among others.
“Others include Bali Local Government Lodge, General Hospital, Taka-Lafiya road, and electricity from Suntai to Bali which she played a pivotal role.”
