Bassa cultural development union gets new leaders.

By Kure Tashilane.

Nasarawa State Chapter of Bassa Cultural and Development Union (BCDU) has at their delegate conference held at Toto Local Government Council Secretariat elected new leaders who will pilot the affairs of the union moving forward.

The new leadership of the union emerged in a free and fair election held in the early hours of Saturday April 26th, 2025 where Mr. Dansabo Friday Nyizo was elected Chairman of the union after scoring forty eight (48) votes out of 59, David Damma Cheure emerged Deputy Chairman with 11 votes, Tohu Keke Abraham was elected Secretary of the union after polling 45 Votes in a keen contest with Ezekiel Abamma who got only 14 votes.

Others who were elected at the BCDU delegate conference election are: Kure Tashilane Job who scored fifty two (52) votes to become the new Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mrs. Abigail Abraham Treasurer with 43 votes, Jibrin E. Abdullahi Financial Secretary, Joseph Shammaki Auditor with 16 votes and Tanko Benjamin scored 34 votes to clinch the position of Assignment Secretary.

The Bassa Cultural and Development Union Nasarawa State Chapter Delegate Conference election had a total of sixty-one (61) accredited delegates and two invalid votes in all.

Earlier, the electoral committee announced that voting pattern which began with the position of Secretary that was keenly contested by Tohu Abraham Keke and Abamma Ezekiel.

After delegates casted their votes for the position of Secretary, ballots were openly counted and the electoral committee Chairman announced the results as follows: Number of accredited delegates 61 and after they cast their votes, two votes were considered invalid remaining 59 valid votes.

” Out of this 59 valid votes, Abamma Ezekiel polled 14 votes while Tohu Abraham Keke polled 45 Votes. Now by the power vested on me as the Chairman of this electoral committee, I Abraham Sunday Zainaba, declare Tohu Abraham Keke as the winner of this election for the position of State Secretary BCDU ” He declared.

After that, the electoral committee members pave way for general voting for all the remaining positions which were either unopposed or opponents stepped down for others in order to fulfill the all formalities and that was how the above stated scores were gotten for each position during the election.

However, before the election began, Shuaibu Zhokwo Audu stepped down his candidature to give room for the new leadership to have a woman in their midst and that was how Abigail Abraham emerged as the treasurer of the union for the progress of the union moving forward.

The newly elected State Chairman BCDU Dansabo Friday Nyizo in his acceptance speech appreciated the delegates for the rare privilege given to him and his team to have their mandate to serve Bassa people across the state in the next two years.

” Indeed, I am overwhelmed with joy with a deep sense of responsibility we acknowledged the onerous task ahead of us as we take on this great work, even though, the responsibilities ahead is a shared one. Just like the America motto says, in God we trust. BCDU Nasarawa State, in God we trust

” And as such, I am confident of the fact that God Almighty will take us to where he desires us to be. Not by our power, not by what we know, but he will do his work through us. I call on all Bassa sons and daughters in Nasarawa state to pray for Bassa as Christians, as a Muslims, pray for Bassa, if you are a pagan, pray for Bassa people ” He solicited.

Dansabo expressed hope that God will help him and his team bring to bear the desired enlightenment, progress and positive change the Bassa people are yearning for through strategic planning, engagement with relevant bodies moving forward.

He noted that the election results has been accepted in good faith and his hope and desire is to take the Bassa nation to the next level of socio-cultural, economic and political development in the state.

The new BCDU Chairman urged those who contested and lost not to be discouraged but brace up in courage to jointly work with those who won as they are all capable hands.with the capacity and resourcefulness to to jointly make the difference at this point in time in the history of Bassa nation.

He equally urged the former State BCDU Chairman Mr. Emmanuel Gbaje to help the new EXCO take off in good footing through his advice and guidance on what to do and how to go about it when need arises.

In his good will message, Isaiah Tashilane the National Vice President Bassa Cultural and Development Union said he is highly elated that the delegate conference election finally took place successfully in Toto Local Government Council Secretariat.

” This election is historical to me for the following reasons; from my understanding, from the inception of BCDU at the state levels, we have never had this kind of election before. This is the first of it’s kind. Secondly, we have never had this kind of election in this kind of environment. That is why I said, my joy is full ” He stated.

Tashilane appreciated the Executive Chairman of Toto Local Government Council Pharmacist Ahmed Baba Yahaya and the entire leadership of the LGA, for their show of love and kindness which the Bassa people are not taking for granted for allowing them conduct the election at the local government council secretariat.

On his part the out gone State BCDU Chairman Mr. Emmanuel Gbaje appreciated Toto Local Government area Executive Chairman Pharmacist Ahmed Baba Yahaya for giving the Bassa people the rare privilege to hold the election at the Council Secretariat.

” My name is Mr. Emmanuel Gbaje the out going Chairman of Bassa Cultural and Development Union Nasarawa state. I am happy today that history is been made. I am happy for this election that is conducted here in Toto Local Government and at the Secretariat of Toto LGA …

” I am filled with joy and everybody is happy for God making it possible that this election is hitch-free without any hindrance. I really appreciate the Executive Chairman of Toto Local Government area as well as the security agencies that made sure law and order was maintained. In fact, they have exhibited their professionalism in ensuring that the election is a success ” Gbaje stated.

He equally applauded the efforts of delegates and all other critical stakeholders especially the Aguma Utu Mr. Daniel Baba and the Aguma of Kenyefu Mr. Usman Sheneni for the sacrifice they made to be there to witness the election proceedings up to the end.

” In fact, I urge everybody to be the one to spread this good news that Nasarawa State BCDU has conducted election for their new leaders and it was held in Toto Local Government area. And I really commend the candidate who had now emerged as the people coming on board to see that this noble union is taken to greater heights …

” Mr. Chairman and your team, I once again say congratulations to you all. I pray for you to do more than I have done and also, my doors are open. Feel free, come, whatever I suppose to tell you to see that this union goes from strength to strength; from next level to another next level, I will ” He assured the new team.

In his good will message, the Aguma Utu Mr. Daniel Baba appreciated the collective commitment and participation of critical stakeholders, the youths and delegates during the election.

He stressed that they were at the local government secretariat to witness the election proceedings and to give the royal backing that enjoys the blessings of His Royal Highness Dr. David Tukura the Aguma of Bassa, Turunku Chiefdom.

The royal father enjoined Bassa people to exemplify the wordings of their union’s motto which says; ‘Far and Near, We are One’ wherever they go to foster unity and progress of the entire Bassa race.

Certificates of return were issued to all the newly elected State EXCO of Nasarawa state Bassa Cultural and Development Union in Toto Local Government Council Secretariat.(www.krestnews.com).