The Gongola People’s Forum (GPF) has given its full endorsement to Governor Ahmadu Fintiri’s historic move to establish new chiefdoms and emirates in Adamawa State, along with the appointment of fresh chiefs and emirs.
The organization lauded the governor for reviving the traditional cultural rights of the indigenous people, rights that had long been suppressed during the colonial era through indirect rule.
In a press briefing in Yola on the 6th of January, 2025, Barrister Leonard Nzadon, the National Secretary of GPF, expressed admiration for the governor’s bold action.
“Governor Fintiri has taken a popular and courageous path to freedom, perfectly aligned with the principles of GPF. This is why, earlier in this movement, we cautioned those who think they are beyond reproach to tread carefully,” Nzadon remarked.
He emphasized that the people of Gongola had endured feudal serfdom under the previous administration, a situation that hindered their growth and freedom.
Nzadon elaborated that the creation of the new chiefdoms and emirates would empower the indigenous people, allowing them to break free from the shackles of colonial oppression and outdated leadership structures. “No one should be forced into the kind of servitude that the indigenous people of Gongola faced under the past regime, a situation we believed was abolished with the advent of our constitutional democracy,” he declared.
The GPF National Secretary also dismissed claims that Governor Fintiri’s reforms were aimed at targeting specific groups within the state, calling such accusations mischievous.
He made it clear that the governor’s initiatives benefit the entire state, especially those marginalized by past leadership.
“We at GPF believe the governor has given a voice to those once sidelined, undoing what was once thought to have been abandoned decades ago,” Nzadon added.
It’s worth noting that on December 10, the state House of Assembly passed the “Adamawa State Chiefs (Appointment and Deposition) and matters incidental thereto” bill into law, which was presented just a day prior.
Governor Fintiri signed the bill into law on the 16th of December, 2024.
The newly created chiefdoms and emirates are: Hoba Chiefdom, based in Hong (2nd-Class Status); Madagali Chiefdom, based in Gulak (2nd-Class Status); Michika Chiefdom, based in Michika (2nd-Class Status); Fufore Emirate, based in Fufore (2nd-Class Status); Gombi Chiefdom, based in Gombi (3rd-Class Status); Maiha Emirate, based in Maiha (3rd-Class Status); and Yungur Chiefdom, based in Dumne (3rd-Class Status).