Governor Sule and Pharmacist Yahaya Cultivate Lasting Peace in Toto

By Tukura Matthew 

In 2018, upon securing the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship ticket for Nasarawa State, Engineer Abdullahi A. Sule pledged to resolve the persistent Bassa/Egbura ethnic crisis in Toto Local Government Area through diplomacy. He made this commitment during a solidarity visit by Bassa APC members from Toto to his country home in Gudi.

True to his word, upon assuming office, Governor Sule directly addressed the complex Toto crisis. He brought the conflicting factions together for dialogue and examined the root causes of the problem During one of the crucial meetings, the Ohimegye Opanda and President Toto Local Government Traditional Council, HRH. Alhaji Usman Abdullahi, urged those advocating violence to abandon that path. "What cannot be gotten by peace can never be gotten through violence," the Royal Father declared. He further advocated for a formal peace pact to be drafted by the State Ministry of Justice and signed by both parties, with government sanctions for violators.

Governor Sule strategically leveraged the critical role of traditional institutions in conflict resolution – a proven method dating back to colonial indirect rule Nigeria  and instrumental even in ending the Nigeria Civil War. This approach the royal father said  beared  fruits: precisely on February 10, 2025, the displaced Bassa people officially returned to Toto LGA. This significant achievement of   restoring citizens to the area and returned the displaced persons to their ancestral homes, deserves commendation for the Governor and is a huge success for the entire state, as instability in any part of the state  affects the entire state

Applaud is also due to Toto Local Government Chairman, Pharmacist Ahmed Baba Yahaya. He has tirelessly carried Governor Sule’s message of peaceful co-existence into every corner of Toto, handling  issues with unwavering sincerity and commitment. His administration burns with a desire to not only restore peace but also develop Toto for its people's benefit.

This commendation   was  expressed during the 2025 Children’s Day celebration (May 27th) in a speech delivered by Bassa children titled "2025 Children’s Day, our Great Day," which was  celebrated in Toto – for some of the children it was  their first time stepping their feet in Toto and celebrating the day with other children in  their homeland. They offered "three boosters" to Governor Sule, lauding him as a leader exceeding expectations who prioritizes peace and completing uncompleted  projects like the Aliyu Akwe Doma Multi-Purpose Hall. They equally praised   the Chairman Toto LGC Pharmacist Yahaya: "You are a good example of when God-fearing people are in authority the people rejoice... your style of leadership is noted." They urged  Pharmacist Yahaya to manufacture "Peace Drugs" for all residents to take as medication for peaceful coexistence .

According to the children pharmacist Yahaya's  leadership is exemplary. He personally visits  flashpoints, initiated a peace committee in Katakpa involving tribal stakeholders, and embodies a unifying father figure. The efforts of security agencies and Royal Fathers – the Ohimegye Opanda Umaisha, Ona of Toto, Aguma Bassa Turunku, Gomo-Babye, Dada-Yakwo of Nakuse, and Etsu Yelwa – were are also acknowledged as crucial to maintaining peace.

The children made a clarion call to parents  to deliver an economically vibrant and politically stable Toto to them as the leadership of pharmacist Yahaya is doing a goal achievable given its resources and goodwill. Complementing government efforts. A Non-Governmental organization NGO Institute for Integrated Transitions (IFIT) is actively working to foster unity through town hall meetings with men's and women's groups across the LGA.

The ultimate sustainability of peace, however, rests with the people themselves. As elder statesman Timothy Ajide emphasized, "Nobody will continue to tell Toto people to live in peace with one another. The decision is solely for them to decide." True peace in Toto must be nurtured not just in government houses,  Abuja or else where but within the its residents, making  peace with One another.