The Chiefdom Strikes Back At The Emirate: Adamawa Gov To Sign States District Creation Law And Lamido Barkindo Would Cease To Be Permanent Chair For Adamawa Council Of Chiefs
The Oasis Reporters
December 14, 2024
The Adamawa State House of Assembly has passed a Bill for the Creation of more Emirates with 1st-class Emirs in the state.
The new Emirate Law, now awaiting Governor Ahmadu Fintiri’s assent which was passed days after the governor assented to another law, the state’s District Creation Law 2024, which created 83 new districts on 4 December.
This effectively makes Lamido Adamawa just one of the many Emirates in the State, thus nullifying the notion that just one man is permanently the chairman of all the Chiefs in the large state where over 250 different languages are spoken. The Lamido is a Fulani, a minority tribe in the midst of hundreds of others, yet he remains as general leader acting as the sole leader of everyone for always.
Mr Fintiri, in a letter to the lawmakers on Monday earlier in the week, requested the passage of a bill for a law to provide for the Adamawa State Chiefs (Appointment and Deposition) and matters incidental thereto.
Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, largely believed to be from the Marghi tribe, mostly found in Michika and Madagali local governments, was born on October 27th, 1967 in Gulak, Madagali Local Government area of Adamawa State.
He grew up in a world that had become so conscious of the primacy of Western Education and Religious knowledge, both of which he struggled to acquire at an early age. Even though a Muslim in a wide area of the state overflowing with a sea of Christians may seem to be resentful of the Fulani dominance of politics and the economy of Adamawa State which the people find largely suffocating.
When Alhaji Atiku Abubakar won the governorship election in Adamawa State in 1999 but was picked by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as his running mate which led to his becoming Nigeria’s Vice president after their win, it seemed almost easy for his running mate, Bonnie Haruna at the gubernatorial election to move up and become the governor.
But it was not easy at all. Some powerful stakeholders simply could not stomach the fact that a Christian from Southern Adamawa was going to be the governor. His emergence was fought tooth and nail even up to the Supreme Court.
Finally Bonnie Haruna won and governed for eight years. It was obvious that the power stakeholders would always prefer a Fulani Muslim leadership, rather than a Christian from one of the many minority tribes in the South of the state.
After the tenure of Bonnie Haruna, Admiral Murtala Nyako, a Fulani became the governor of the state. Ahmadu Fintiri was the Speaker of the State House of Assembly.
When Admiral Murtala Nyako fell into hot political waters during his strong opposition to then Goodluck Jonathan and was therefore indicted and tried over corruption allegations that led to his impeachment, Ahmadu Fintiri became the acting governor.
Being a Muslim from a largely Christian part of Southern Adamawa may have given him a little shade from the scorching political heat in the North Eastern state.
But that was only for his first term (2019-2023. Election into his second term was fiercely fought with a female contender, Senator Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed as arrowhead. Against the run of play, she was illegally announced the winner of the election, many suspected was a manipulation by some political strongmen and women who do not cherish the fact of having a Southern Adamawa person as governor. Fintiri fought back and regained his mandate.
Understanding the intricacies of Adamawa politics even when it is well known that feudalistic ideas are holding the state back, Fintiri bided his time. He may be a Muslim, but he read the empire well and decided to do things for posterity.
The Bill empowered the governor to create additional emirates, and appoint or depose traditional rulers.
The Bill passed 1st and 2nd reading at the state House of Assembly on Monday.
The accelerated reading of the bill followed separate motions by the deputy majority leader, Ahmed Rufai (Maiha LGA), seconded by Moses Zah (Michika LGA) and Bauna Myandassa (Lamurde LGA).
The Speaker of the Assembly, Bathiya Wesley, referred it to the House Committee on Local Government Affairs for legislative action.
*The speaker directed the committee to submit its report on the next legislative day.
The committee was headed by Kefas Calvin with Godfrey Bulus ashis deputy, while Grace Kurkuwa served as the clerk.
On Tuesday, the lawmakers passed the bill into law. The governor is expected to announce the new emirates after assenting to the bill.
The new law strips the Lamido of Adamawa, Mustapha Barkindo, of his title of permanent Chairman of the Adamawa Council of Chiefs.
The law provides that the seat will rotate annually among all the first-class emirs and chiefs.
The lawmakers said the rotational chairmanship would promote fairness, equity and quality representation in traditional leadership.
The governor had on 4 December assented to the state’s district creation law at an exclusive ceremony at the Government House.
He said the new law was aimed at enhancing governance and addressing security challenges at the grassroots level.
The law will weaken the influence of the Lamido of Adamawa, Mr Barkindo, by reducing the local government areas under his control from eight to three.
The Adamawa emirate covered Hong, Song, Gombi, Fufore, Girei, Yola North, Yola South, and Mayo-Belwa.
Additional reporting:
Premium Times
Wikipedia
