Undoubtedly, since the inception of Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri’s administration, I seldom delve into any political issue or discourse on the activities of the Government for obvious reasons. Even though, the Constitution of Nigeria accorded the right to Freedom of Expression but I opted to imbibe the doctrine of self restraint or censorship under the present dispensation.
However, since the passage of the Bill for the creation of additional Districts, Emirates and Chiefdoms by the State House of Assembly, there were intense pressure on me from people within and outside the country over the contentious Bill and the position of the Traditional Institution. Therefore, as a stakeholder and Member of the Adamawa Emirate Council, it is incumbent upon me to ventilate my opinion on the issue with a view to putting records straight.
I have read a number of commentaries on the recent laws passed by the Adamawa State House of Assembly regarding the Traditional Institution which forced me to go through the laws for proper understanding and guidance.
My first reaction has to do with the speed with which these laws were passed. In both cases i.e the creation of Districts law and that of the chiefdom law the legislative process was shunted and the requirements for public inputs were jettisoned.
That could not have been an error. It was deliberate and intended to foist an agenda that the promoters themselves know that in an open and democratic process, many of the provisions would have been interrogated properly or even rejected.
When the bills went to the committee stage at the House of Assembly, a very lopsided committee that represents only one shade of opinion could not do much other than an editorial work of crossing the “ts” and dotting the “is”. Other than in a system bedevilled by ignorance and self interest, no legislative committee will come up with such pedestrian recommendations.
But then the did has been done and the laws are in place. The next stage is implementation. This is where a huge problem now exists. Self interests could propel the enactment of an ill-advised law, but when the reality of of the implementation brings out the real challenges then the damage will become apparent.
From territorial delineation to the appointment of the supposed Rulers, from the administrative bottlenecks to the economic difficulties, these new structures will soon become sources of conflicts of monumental proportions for Adamawa State. The promoters will soon realize that what they did is to create for themselves and for the people of Adamawa State a Frankenstein monster that will devour them and perhaps some innocent persons who have no idea what was unleashed.
Creating a draconian law that vests so much power in the hands of the incumbent is simply a vehicle that provides a temporary relief from a permanent pain. All the powers in the hands of the Governor will be exercised for a maximum of just 4 years and thereafter it will devolve to another person. Nothing permanent about it but so transient.
Meanwhile it is worth noting that while other more progressive states are looking to the future by establishing laws that promote good governance, productivity and self reliance, our government is moving backwards by balkanizing communities and stifling democratic participation. What that portends is a further slide backwards in a Nigeria where forward movement is in dire need.
It is therefore instructive to point out that historically Lamido Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Musdafa PhD CFR as the paramount ruler of Adamawa is also addressed as ‘Premier Ruler of Adamawa State’. This stems from the historical trajectory of the state as explained by a document found at the National Archives Kaduna titled ‘Quarterly Report – Adamawa Division’. See paragraph 3 of the Political Memoranda No. IX dated 30th June 1912.
Hitherto, the British imperialist army invaded and took over political control of the Adamawa emirate in September 1901. For convenience, they ran an Indirect Rule system where the British Resident and the Lamido (Bobbo Ahmadu) and subsequent Lamidos were involved in running the administration.
Back to the Political Memorandum, the colonial Governor in 1912, Lord Lugard, issued the statute to that effect stating the sovereignty of the Lamido of Adamawa. It reads: Whatever our (the British) opinions may be, Government has recognized the Fulani conquest of Adamawa Emirate, and the Lamido Adamawa is acknowledged as the de facto ruler of all peoples in the Emirate. It, therefore, follows that no matter what independent outlook some of these mixed and scattered peoples may have, it is Government’s policy to support in every way, and uphold the authority of the de facto chief who has been appointed as their ruler.
- Alhaji Musa Halilu Chiroma, OFR holds the traditional title of Dujima Adamawa
