Martins
Shaldas, the younger brother of the late Long-Goemai, Miskoom Hubert
Shaldas II, has emerged the new paramount ruler of the Goemai people in
Shendam local government area of Plateau State.
The selection of
the new traditional ruler for Goemai, the tribe of Governor Simon Bako
Lalong, comes almost a year after the late first class chief died of a
protracted ailment at the age of 78.
The
late Shaldas who was the President, Shendam Traditional Council was one
of Plateau’s oldest traditional leaders who ascended the throne in
1988.
His brother, the new Long-Goemai, Martins Shaldas, was
elected Monday with four votes to beat Elias Kwash, a friend of Lalong
who scored two votes, Daily Trust gathered from sources. Others who
contested for the throne include Ciril Nkup, Yakubu Othman, Col Danladi
Nyelong, Mipo Shaldas, Julius Neylong and Paus Menchit.
Until his
selection as the Long-Goemai, Martins Shaldas was a senior director in
the Plateau State Government. Sources from the Plateau State government
told our correspondent that the official announcement on the selection
will be made by Governor Lalong within the week after the governor would
have presented the result of the election to the Traditional Council.
Daily Trust