Walin Adamawa Faces Allegations of Land Grabs, Illegal Suspension of Emirate Secretary

Walin Adamawa Faces Allegations of Land Grabs, Illegal Suspension of Emirate Secretary

...Petitioners Accuse Traditional Title Holder of Seizing Over 8000 Hectares, Undermining Emirate Administration

By Umaru Dahiru 

Fresh controversy has erupted within the Adamawa Emirate following a series of allegations leveled against the Walin Adamawa, Alhaji Aminu Abdulkadir, ranging from alleged large-scale land acquisition in Yola South Local Government Area to claims of interference in the administration of the Adamawa Emirate Council.

The allegations were made by a petitioner, Prince Abdulrahman Aliyu Mustapha (Sarkin Misira Adamawa), who accused the traditional title holder of unlawfully taking possession of more than 8000 hectares of farmland in Boronji (254 hectares valued over one Billion fiver hundred million Naira) , Langire (250 hectares), Gongoshi (318 hectares) and surrounding communities, allegedly depriving local farmers of their means of livelihood.

According to the petitioner, the disputed lands had been cultivated for decades by community members who depended on them for sustenance and the education of their children.

He alleged that promises of foreign-backed development projects were used to facilitate the acquisition of the lands, but claimed that the properties were eventually registered in the name of the Walin Adamawa.

"People who have farmed on these lands for years have now been denied access. Many families depend on these farms for survival," the petitioner alleged.

He further claimed that some government aides who previously farmed in the affected areas were also prevented from accessing the lands.

The petitioner also questioned the traditional and administrative role of the Walin Adamawa within the Emirate structure, arguing that the title traditionally does not form part of the Emirate's kingmakers.

According to him, historical records indicate that his father, who held the title of Walin Adamawa in 1946, was not considered among the kingmakers of the Emirate. Also Wali Muhammadu Abba Muhammadu who held wali traditional title since 1964 to 2010 was not a kingmaker, Late Barr Sanusi Barkindo (former OPEC secretary General) was not a kingmaker. He further stated that one can't be a king maker over night, one must have the historical point of it :" no one knows where he comes from, he only flew in from where only God knows and he pushed himself to be a kingmaker)

Price Aliyu maintained that the hierarchy within the Adamawa Emirate places the Waziri, Galadima, Wakili and Dan Buram ahead of the Walin Adamawa and therefore questioned efforts allegedly being made to elevate the office beyond its traditional responsibilities.

The petition further accused the Walin Adamawa of allegedly attempting to exert undue influence over the affairs of the Adamawa Emirate Council and traditional succession matters.

Among the issues raised was the controversial removal of the Secretary of the Adamawa Emirate Council, Umaru Yahaya.

Aliyu said is aware with developments within the Emirate alleged that despite directives reportedly issued by the Lamido Adamawa and conveyed through the Waziri Adamawa and Wakili Adamawa to halt the process, the Galadima Adamawa allegedly proceeded with a meeting of district heads where the secretary was declared removed on the directives of Wali Adamawa 

However, district heads who attended the meeting reportedly declined to endorse the decision, insisting that established procedures governing appointments and removals within the Emirate had not been followed.

The development has sparked debate over governance and authority within the Emirate Council.

Critics  Like Prince Aliyu, Wakili Adamawa  Ambassador Hassan Adamu who was a seasoned administrator, diplomat of repute served the office of Wakili Adamawa for close to five decades, they have raised questions regarding the legality of the secretary's purported removal and the extent of the Governor's constitutional authority over senior civil service appointments connected to traditional institutions.

They also questioned whether council members should owe primary loyalty to the Emirate Council Chairman or to individual title holders.

The complainer worried that when  Wali got the approval by Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri to assume the office of Lamido on acting capacity, he exploited the office and bastardized the traditional structure of the emirate council when the Lamido was away on medical trips. 

According to him that the ation undermined the structured leadership existed for over 250 years. He said at the absence of Lamido, the next person to take control is the Waziri Adamawa, and Galadima will take charge if Waziri is no around for Emirate control, if there's no Galadima is Wakili, after Wakili is Wali.

"These  cannot be unconnected by the Wali's decision to illegally taking over the leadership without recourse to due process following the leadership hierarchy. Additional claims contained in the petition relate to disputes over traditional leadership influence, land ownership, and political relationships within the Emirate and beyond." Mustapha said 

Mustapha said the controversy has exposed deeper tensions within the Adamawa Emirate over authority, succession, and administrative control. Where salaries were denied to many palace staff, fingered Wali and Galadima to denied salaries payments of staff for three years.

"As I'm talking to him all palace guards and other staffs are celebrating the coming of the secretary, Umaru Yahaya who constantly pays them as at when due. But sadly to inform you that about ten palace staff were sacked today for no just cause." He said 

He further said Wali is not being sincere to himself and the Emirate when he was invited by the committee constituted by the Governor to clear his name in the allegations but refused to appear. Calling on Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri who has been a good leader, fair to all and recreating the state in the area of infrastructural development, peaceful coexistence and carrying all with his people oriented policies, projects and his good leadership strides.

Efforts to obtain the reaction of the Walin Adamawa were unsuccessful as of press time. Several calls put across his number on both WhatsApp, messages on WhatsApp and SMS were not replied and calls were not returned for over 24 hours.

A message seeking clarification on the allegations, including claims relating to the acquisition of lands in Boronji, Langire, Gongoshi and the suspension of the Emirate Council Secretary, was sent to Alhaji Aminu Abdulkadir on Wednesday.

The message read in part:

"Good morning Sir, Your Majesty, kindly respond to a petition signed by one Abdulrahman Aliyu Mustapha alleging the taking of hectares of land in Boronji, Yola South Local Government Area of Adamawa State. Other issues requiring your response include the suspension of the Adamawa Emirate Council Secretary, Umaru Yahaya."

As of the time this report was filed, no response had been received from the Walin Adamawa.

The allegations remain claims by the petitioner and have not been independently verified. Authorities are yet to make any official pronouncement on the matters raised in the petition.