Ex-Toto LG Chair. Aliyu Tashas Salutes Pharm. Baba Yahaya’s ‘Healing Prescription’ for Bassa Kwomu’s Historic Return
By Yahaya Idris, Toto
The immediate past Executive Chairman of Toto Local Government Area in Nasarawa State, Hon. Aliyu Abdullahi Tashas, said he diagnosed a long-standing “sickness” of disharmony in the area, crediting the incumbent chairman, Pharmacist Ahmed Baba Yahaya, with providing the perfect “drugs” that have restored peace and unity among diverse communities.
Speaking at the colourful First Anniversary Celebration of the peaceful resettlement of Bassa Kwomu in Toto LGA, organised by Pharmacist Baba, Hon. Tashas emphasised that for any socio-economic progress to flourish without stagnation, peaceful coexistence among residents remains non-negotiable.
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The event, which drew a large crowd of community leaders, youths, women groups, and traditional rulers, took place on Tuesday at the Dr. Abdullahi Adamu Youth Centre in Toto, the administrative heart of the local government.
Hon. Tashas, who himself served as chairman before handing over to the pharmacist-turned-politician, recalled how he identified the root cause of unrest, not just between the Egbira and Bassa ethnic groups, but across all inhabitants of Toto LGA, during his tenure.
“Like a true diagnostician, I pinpointed the illness of lack of peaceful coexistence,” he stated, drawing applause from the audience. ” But the incumbent chairman, Pharmacist Ahmad Baba Yahaya, who is trained in healing, prescribed the right drugs. Today, we are joyfully celebrating the successful and peaceful resettlement of the Bassa Kwomu people.”
The ex-chairman used the medical metaphor to praised Pharmacist Baba’s hands-on approach to governance, noting how targeted interventions in healthcare, dialogue, and community engagement have healed deep-seated divisions that once threatened the area’s stability.
Tashas, who is contesting for Nasarawa State House of Assembly Seat to represent the people of Toto/Gadabuke Constituency, urged residents of Toto LGA to embrace tolerance as a daily creed, warning that past conflicts should serve as a “bitter history” to pave the way for enduring sweetness in communal living.
“Let us tolerate one another, so that peace reigns today and forever,” Tashas implored.
In a dramatic close that ignited the crowd, Hon. Tashas invoked a popular prayer against saboteurs: “Whoever harbours bad intentions against this Local Government Area, as our pastors often say…” The entire audience erupted in unison, roaring “Back to sender” amid cheers, songs, and dances that symbolised the newfound harmony.
