Sukur community in northern Adamawa state have rejected the appointment of Mr Ijarafu Bayal by Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri as the new District Head of Sukur District in Madagali LGA of the state.
A statement by the Chairman of Sukur Development Association, Mr Toma Kami said the people of Sukur elected their tribesman Mr Markus Ezra who is son to the late district head (Rev, Ezra Makarma) to replace his father and were shocked to see Gov. Fintiri appointing his margi tribesman over the Sukur people.
Kami called for justice and fairness for Sukur people, adding that the appointment of some one from another tribe was a deliberate show of marginalisation and a source of brewing tension in the area that was already has fragile peace due insurgency activities.
“The present appointment of a margi man as our district head is repugnant to national justice, equity and a deliberate plan to humiliate a people with long history and host to African first and world’s number 25 UNESCO World Heritage Site,
“The people of Sukur see the position of district head as the only physical expression of anything close to governance which is now taken way from them.
“We can only be comforted by restoring back our mandate and restricting the nomination and appointment of district head from the Sukur royal family thereby sustaining the leadership succession,” Kami said.
When contacted on the development, Mr Solomon Kumangar, the Director-General, Media and Communications to the Governor sent a statement indicating that the appointment of Bayal to be District Head was made by his predecessor ex-governor Jibrilla Bindow and wonder why some people are bringing up the issue now to create conflict between the sukur and margi people that have been living peacefully in the district.
It said Bayal scored more votes in an election opened to sukur and margi people of the district to defeat Ezra as the elected District Head.
“It is surprising that this matter should crop up now that decision taken earlier was only confirmed by the governor as a responsible leader that believes in the continuity of governance.”
