Adamawa Governor breaks hegemony of Lamido over Indigenous people, non-fulanis in the state

December 12, 2024

By Ayinde Adeleke

Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, has signed the state’s District Creation Law 2024, creating 83 new districts.

This move is seen as a step towards decentralizing power and enhancing governance at the grassroots level.

In a letter to lawmakers dated December 2, Fintiri requested the repeal and re-enactment of the Adamawa State Districts Creation Law 2024.

The State House of Assembly deliberated on the bill for a day and passed it on December 3, with the governor assenting to it the following day.

At a closed ceremony at the Government House, Governor Fintiri stated that the new law aims to enhance governance and address security challenges at the grassroots level.

However, observers believe the law is a step towards creating additional emirates with first-class emirs in the state.

The law significantly weakens the influence of the Lamido of Adamawa, Mustapha Barkindo, by reducing the local government areas under his control from eight to three. The Adamawa emirate previously covered Hong, Song, Gombi, Fufore, Girei, Yola North, Yola South, and Mayo-Belwa. Under the new law, it is left with Girei Jimeta and Yola.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who holds the title of Waziri and is a senior kingmaker in the Adamawa emirate, will now exercise emirate authority in three local government areas.

The new law also reduces the influence of the Emir of Mubi, Abubakar Isa-Ahmadu, who previously had Michika, Madagali, Mubi North, Mubi South, and Maiha under him.

In addition, the Bachama Kingdom, under its paramount ruler, the Hama of Bachama, Homun Daniel-Shaga, now has Numan and Lamurde LGAs.

Ganye emirate has Jada, Ganye, and Toungo, while Demsa chiefdom, with one local government area, has two emirs.

This development is seen as a significant shift in the balance of power in Adamawa State, and its implications are yet to be fully understood.