On Hoba chieftaincy conundrum

Though history of Hoba chieftaincy is fully documented and established by records, but pure politics and administrative lapses exploited by the powers that be in the defunct Gongola state to the present day Adamawa, had compounded its fruition five years before the Kilba chiefdom fell to the British in 1907. The Resident of Yola province […]

Though history of Hoba chieftaincy is fully documented and established by records, but pure politics and administrative lapses exploited by the powers that be in the defunct Gongola state to the present day Adamawa, had compounded its fruition five years before the Kilba chiefdom fell to the British in 1907. The Resident of Yola province Mr. M.C Barclay indicated in a report addressed to the then Colonial Governor in Zungeru that  judging by the territorial expanse of the Kilba chiefdom, its population and rich cultural heritage as at 1902, he  recommended that “the chief ought to be graded a first class status”.

On the whole, the Hoba had developed over the years a sense of communal cohesion and political sense of direction so much so that until recently (no thanks to chop I chop politics) they had effectively checkmated the aggression of their detractors of the 19th century to which most other areas in the Northern part of the country fell easy prey. Reference (H. Barth, Travels and discoveries in the North central Africa 1849 to 1885) Volumes 1-3, London 1965.

This information quoted above on the historical background of Hoba and powers bestowed on a sitting governor by the laws of Northern Nigeria1963 cap 20 propelled the then Military Administrator Colonel Yohana Madaki of blessed memory to tow the line of  Mr. Barkley to approve the status of second class staff to Hoba chiefdom. Quoting him copiously, Col Madaki declared that “there is nothing to the contrary and having taken the views of the former Colonial Governor of Zungeru on the matter, I have the pleasure to approve second class status to the chief of Kilba”. Adding his voice to the same issue was his successor Gp Capt J.D Jang, current governor of Plateau State, who said “there was nothing new about it other than to grant to a people’s inalienable right of self determination” on 1st July 1988.

Unfortunately, an announcement was made on 2nd August 1988 countering the earlier decision of government. The government decision cancelling its earlier decision shocked not only the Hoba people but all well meaning Nigerians who must have seen it as denial of the people’s right   to freedom. On the face value of the picture painted above, one will not have bothered about government’s wisdom in reversing itself on this matter, but for the fact that all concerned Nigerians are aware of the content of the said announcement and its implications on the latter decision on the grounds that the Emirate council was not consulted before the second class status was re-bestowed on the chief of Hoba. Wonderful you will say. Why must the Emirate Council be consulted on a matter that is purely that of the Executive Governor?  Or is it that Adamawa is a republic on its own?

Flipping through section 5 (Cap. 20) Laws of Northern Nigeria 1963, I believe the people that were behind the reversal of the Kilba chieftaincy status read that relevant law upside down. In fact I stand to be corrected that all appointments and or up grading of Emirs, Chiefs or their equivalence is purely the prerogative of a sitting governor with possibly an additional support of members of the legislature as elected lawmakers and representatives of their constituents. No more no less.

At the risk of incurring the wrath of cronies and fine boys of the feudalists, Hoba people happen to be part of Adamawa just by implication of British indirect rule, and NOT by conquest by the Fulani jihadists as erroneously perceived “The Lamido of Fombina: A political History of a Adamawa 1809 – 1901 by Prof. Saad Abubakar” (ABU/OUP, 1978 pg 16.) buttresses this point further. In fact there has been no time in history when the flag of Modibbo Adama (Usman Dan Fodio’s Jihad flagbear in the defunct Gongola area now Adamawa State was hoisted on the territory of Kilba Land, to indicate that the two tribes have any link in whatsoever social interactions. Instead, Kilba rather than conquered by the Fulani jihadists, always subdued and took Fulani armies captive each time there was trouble between the two communities.

There has never been any time in history when Adamawa Emirate Council decided the fate of Kilba people or Chiefdom as of right. But, a critical look at events glaringly indicate that there is a grand design by the feudalists to smuggle themselves into the position held by the British colonialists during their surgeon in this part of Nigeria. This act should vehemently be resisted in all its ramifications especially by the incoming generation. To achieve this, we need to bring to bear unity of purpose and collective struggle especially among the youths and the older generation.

The youths should note that the motive behind denying Hoba its inalienable right to have a chiefdom of its own as recorded by history is aimed to subjugate them. The people behind this retrogressive move have perceived that Hoba chiefdom if approved, it will be a threat to their imperial ambitions. Let the Ife-Modakeke in Osun State example be an eye opener to all of us. For over 100 years of agitation, the people of Ife-Modakeke, Ife East area of the State had in September 2009 after a tortuous  struggle at last witnessed the crowning and presentation of the staff of office to its traditional ruler who has been denied that right on equally flimsy reasons as unleashed on Hoba people in Adamawa State. Our history will very soon be rewritten correctly if only we collectively refuse being cowards.

Wabundani can be reached on [email protected]