… the sacred role of kingmakers—entrusted with selecting traditional rulers—remains in the hands of those who share the ancestry, language, and customs of their respective chiefdoms
By Emmanuel Kwada
A storm of debate has erupted in Adamawa State over the proposed amendment to the Adamawa State Chiefdom Law, forwarded to the State House of Assembly by Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri. Intended to reform traditional institutions, the bill has ignited a firestorm of commentary, with critics and supporters clashing over its implications.
While some label the amendment a political maneuver, its proponents, including concerned stakeholders, vehemently defend it as a bold step toward cultural justice, equity, and the preservation of indigenous identity.
The proposed amendment, currently under review by the Adamawa State House of Assembly, seeks to ensure that kingmakers and traditional council members are indigenes of the chiefdoms they serve, a move aimed at safeguarding the cultural and ancestral integrity of the state’s 12 graded chiefdoms.
These criticisms are not only narrow but entirely miss the essence of the reform
However, the media space has been flooded with what stakeholders describe as “mischievous and dangerously misleading” narratives, accusing the bill of being exclusionary or targeting specific individuals or groups.
“These criticisms are not only narrow but entirely miss the essence of the reform,” a coalition of concerned stakeholders declared in a passionate statement.
At the heart of the amendment is a commitment to ensuring that the sacred role of kingmakers—entrusted with selecting traditional rulers—remains in the hands of those who share the ancestry, language, and customs of their respective chiefdoms. “Adamawa’s chiefdoms are not arbitrary creations,” the stakeholders emphasized.
How can an outsider, unconnected to a chiefdom’s heritage, be imposed as a kingmaker?
“They embody the soul of our people—their traditions, history, and values. How can an outsider, unconnected to a chiefdom’s heritage, be imposed as a kingmaker?”
This principle, they argue, is not exclusionary but a defense of cultural integrity, akin to the legal requirement for certificates of indigeneity in Nigeria’s 774 local governments, where claiming false indigeneity is punishable as forgery.
The amendment addresses historical ambiguities exposed by past incidents, such as the leadership vacuum in the Mbula Chiefdom when the late Murum Mbula fell ill, leading to unauthorized appointments by the Council of Chiefs.
If indigeneity is upheld in modern civic administration, how much more should it be respected in our sacred traditional institutions?
“This experience highlighted the urgent need for legal clarity,” the Adamawa State Government stated, clarifying that the reforms aim to modernize traditional institutions while upholding constitutional mandates and cultural preservation.
Critics, however, have fueled controversy, with some alleging the bill concentrates excessive power in the executive or violates constitutional principles. One claim, dismissed as “intellectually dishonest” by supporters, argues that the term “indigene” lacks legal basis.
Stakeholders counter that indigeneity is a cornerstone of Nigerian governance, embedded in policies governing employment, scholarships, and elective positions. “If indigeneity is upheld in modern civic administration, how much more should it be respected in our sacred traditional institutions?” they asked.
He is instituting order, fairness, and cultural justice, not sowing division
The opposition echoes resistance to earlier chiefdom creations, rooted, according to stakeholders, in a “feudal mentality” that views certain communities as subordinate.
“This hegemonic mindset has no place in the 21st century,” they asserted, accusing detractors of clinging to outdated notions of dominance. The amendment, they argue, is a corrective mechanism to restore dignity, respect cultural boundaries, and address long-standing injustices caused by external interference in local governance.
Governor Fintiri has emerged as a central figure in the debate, earning praise for his courage in championing the reform. “His effort is not only legal and constitutional but morally just,” the stakeholders declared.
His effort is not only legal and constitutional but morally just
“He is instituting order, fairness, and cultural justice, not sowing division.” The government has also refuted claims of targeting individuals or groups, with the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon. Iliya James, emphasizing that the policy is for the collective good of all communities in Adamawa.
The bill’s progress in the House of Assembly has sparked widespread discussion, with public hearings anticipated as part of the legislative process. The Adamawa State House of Assembly, a unicameral body of 25 members elected from 21 local government areas, is tasked with scrutinizing the proposal, which must align with constitutional requirements for amendments, including a two-thirds majority vote.
The government has urged citizens to dismiss misinformation and support the reforms, which it describes as essential for restoring integrity and unity to traditional structures.
Read Also: Adamawa’s Traditional Reforms: A Bold Step Toward Unity, Modernization, Says Hon. Iliya James
As Adamawa navigates this pivotal moment, the amendment represents more than a legal reform—it is a bold affirmation of cultural identity and self-determination. “Every chiefdom deserves the right to protect its heritage and determine its destiny,” the stakeholders concluded.
“We stand firmly with Governor Fintiri on this noble course.” The debate continues to unfold, with the nation watching as Adamawa seeks to balance tradition with progress in its quest for a just and equitable future.
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