Some concerned indigenes of Adamawa State have dragged Governor Umaru Fintiri to court over the creation of the new emirates in the state. Daily Nigerian Reports.
Recall that in December, the House of Assembly had passed a bill titled: “Adamawa State Chiefs [Appointment and Deposition] and matters incidental thereto”, a legislation that established new emirates and chiefdoms in the state.
The bills generated reactions from some sections of the state, with some describing it as anti-Fulfulde, a claim the government rejected.
Addressing a press conference on Tuesday in Yola on behalf of Fufore Emirate, Alkasum Abba, said the creation of the new Emirates was ill-conceived and unlawfully executed.
He said: “The Adamawa Emirate, as an ancient and unified entity, represents not just the history of a people but the cultural and social fabric of a significant segment of our state.
“The severance of its core nucleus—without consultation or adherence to traditional norms—is not only unjust but also unconstitutional. This is protected by Section 40 of our extant Constitution.”
According to him, the stakeholders ware compelled to take legal action over the alleged violation of established customs, exceedingly constitution mandated, among others.
He added that the decision to institute the legal action arises from a firm commitment to justice, equity, and the preservation of the heritage of the Emirates.
“The creation of the Fufore Emirate undermines the historical role of traditional institutions, such as the Adamawa Emirate Council and its kingmakers.
“This action disrupts age-old practices, contradicts communal harmony, and weakens the unity of our people.
“Neither the Governor nor the State House of Assembly possesses the legal competence to arbitrarily alter the traditional boundaries and structures of communities without consultation or adherence to the customs codified under customary law and guaranteed by the Constitution.
“While policies of inclusion are commendable, they must not be applied selectively. The clear targeting and denigrating of Fulbe history, customs, and traditions raises serious concerns about fairness and equity in the entire exercise.
“For example, while other ethnic nationalities are by the exercise grouped together under single traditional entities, the Adamawa core entity was divided,” Mr Abba added.
He claimed that the group had made every effort to seek dialogue and reconciliation on this matter with the state governor but to no avail.
“We have written and appealed to His Excellency Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri to reconsider this divisive policy, which is seen to have been conceived against the backdrop of the ideology, rhetoric, and actions that many interpret as anti-Fulbe. Regrettably, our calls for justice have gone unheeded.
“Consequently, as stakeholders in Adamawa State’s development and custodians of its unity, we are left with no choice but to seek judicial intervention.
“Our decision to go to court is not driven by political or ethnic considerations but by the imperative to uphold the rule of law, safeguard our shared heritage, and ensure justice for all.
“Once this matter is resolved by the courts, it will define the constitutional relationship between our political and traditional leaderships for good, not only in Adamawa State but across the entire country,” he added.
