Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State has announced the creation of seven new chiefdoms and emirates in the state.
This development is expected to not only reposition the traditional institution but also whittle down the influence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
The new chiefdoms and emirates, announced during a statewide broadcast on Monday, include the Huba Chiefdom with its headquarters in Hong, the Madagali Chiefdom with its headquarters in Gulak, the Michika Chiefdom with its headquarters in Michika, the Fufore Emirate with its headquarters in Fufore, the Gombi Chiefdom with its headquarters in Gombi, the Yungur Chiefdom with its headquarters in Dumne, and the Maiha Emirate with its headquarters in Maiha.
According to Governor Fintiri, the Huba Chiefdom, Madagali Chiefdom, Michika Chiefdom, and Fufore Emirate have been granted Second-Class status, while the Gombi Chiefdom, Yungur Chiefdom, and Maiha Emirate have been granted Third-Class status.
The governor explained that the creation of these new chiefdoms and emirates is aimed at enhancing the traditional institution’s role in promoting peace, security, and development in the state. This move is also expected to provide more centers for dispute resolution, improve governance in ungoverned spaces, and strengthen social cohesion.
“Fellow citizens, this creation is already gazetted and now part of our statutory repository,” Governor Fintiri said.
“This piece of legislation is expected to reposition the traditional institution and embolden it to smartly play better roles in our affairs; create more centers of dispute arbitration and resolution at the communal level; provide the right governance in all ungoverned spaces within our polity; form more hubs for local intelligence gathering to aid our security system and above all strengthen social cohesion and confer on our people more dignity and pride as citizens.
“While we congratulate the new Emirates and Chiefdoms, we remain appreciative of other demands and agitations from other nationalities.
“I can assure you that this is a continuous process. With the right justification for more demands, we shall positively respond to genuine agitations,” the governor added.
The development is expected to reduce the influence of the Lamido of Adamawa, Mustapha Barkindo, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. The Adamawa emirate, which previously covered eight local government areas, will now be reduced to three, namely Girei Jimeta and Yola. Similarly, Atiku, who holds the title of Waziri, will now exercise emirate authority in only three local government areas.
