By Our Correspondent
A stakeholder from Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Edward John Auta Pama, has raised serious concerns over the conduct of the council chairman, Engr. Bege Joseph Gaiya, following the arrest and transfer of a youth, Julius Tagwai, to the Police Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Kaduna.
In a press statement dated January 13, 2025, Auta said Tagwai was first invited and detained at the Zonkwa Police Station before being transferred to the CID over allegations of defamation and cyberbullying reportedly filed by the council chairman. He noted that efforts by family members, friends and other concerned stakeholders to secure the youth’s release were unsuccessful.
Auta disclosed that he personally contacted the chairman to seek an amicable resolution and facilitate Tagwai’s release, but the chairman allegedly stopped responding to calls when they arrived at the CID office in Kaduna, before the said detainee was subsequently released by the police the next day.
The stakeholder also condemned a controversial social media post allegedly shared on the chairman’s Facebook timeline by his media aide, Jimmy Sheddy Jat, accusing Senator Sunday Marshall Katung, Hon. Iliya Timbuark, Hon. Rijo Shekari and others of organising a coordinated attack against the council chairman.
Although the post was later deleted and a disclaimer issued by the chairman, Auta said the incident had already generated tension and raised questions about the administration’s commitment to unity in the local government.
He further alleged that both the initial post and the subsequent disclaimer appeared to have been written in the same style, fuelling suspicions of an attempt to stir ethnic and political divisions within Zangon Kataf LGA.
Edward Auta criticised the council chairman for failing to discipline his media aide over what he described as a “divisive and unauthorised” publication, arguing that such conduct contradicts the inclusive and unifying agenda of Governor Uba Sani and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna State.
Warning that what he termed high-handedness and disrespect for critical stakeholders could undermine the growing support for the APC in the area, Auta called on the governor to intervene and ensure accountability at the local government level.
He also announced plans to invoke the Freedom of Information Act to investigate alleged mismanagement of funds, non-payment of statutory allowances and project racketeering within the Zangon Kataf Local Government Council, while inviting youths and stakeholders in the area to join what he described as a campaign for transparency and good governance.
