2027 guber polls: Adamawa Ardos raise alarm over creeping ethnic agenda
The Adamawa State Forum of Ardos has raised alarm over what it described as the growing ethnicisation of politics in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that such a development could threaten the long-standing peace and unity enjoyed by the people.
In a press statement sent to this medium on Thursday, the forum, through its national youth leader, Idris Zubairu Numan, condemned attempts by some political actors to allegedly promote ethnic sentiments in the state’s political space.
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Numan described the trend as dangerous, divisive and capable of creating unnecessary tension among citizens if not urgently addressed by stakeholders and well-meaning residents of the state.
According to him, Adamawa has historically remained a model of peaceful coexistence where people from different ethnic and religious backgrounds have lived together harmoniously, stressing that the state’s strength lies in unity, tolerance and fairness rather than politics driven by exclusion and ethnic bias.
The forum maintained that the Fulani community in Adamawa has consistently supported democratic governance and leaders across ethnic and political divides since the creation of the state. It noted that Fulani had played major roles in sustaining political stability and democratic growth through active participation in governance and elections.
The group recalled that since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999, only one Fulani indigene, former governor Murtala Nyako, had governed Adamawa State before his tenure ended through impeachment under what it termed controversial circumstances.
Despite the political setback, the forum said the Fulani community remained peaceful and committed to the unity and progress of the state without resorting to violence or division.
“Heaven did not fall because power shifted from one ethnic group to another,” Numan stated, while warning against attempts to deny Fulani sons and daughters the right to aspire for political offices, including the governorship, on the basis of ethnicity.
The forum described such narratives as an attack on democracy, constitutional rights and justice, insisting that no ethnic group has monopoly over leadership or political participation in the state.
It argued that leadership should be determined by competence, credibility, vision and acceptance by the electorate rather than ethnic considerations.
The Ardos further highlighted the contributions of Fulani communities to the economic and social development of Adamawa through agriculture, livestock production, commerce, scholarship and community development initiatives across various parts of the state.
The group warned that any attempt to politically isolate or disenfranchise Fulani people because of their ethnic identity would amount to grave injustice capable of undermining the state’s unity.
It therefore called on politicians, youth groups, opinion leaders and other stakeholders to refrain from making inflammatory statements capable of heating up the political atmosphere ahead of the 2027 elections.
The forum reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful coexistence, democracy and the continued progress of Adamawa State.
Speaking further, the group commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for establishing the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, describing the move as a bold step towards addressing perennial challenges in the livestock sector, including the herders-farmers crisis.
According to the forum, the creation of the ministry would also unlock untapped opportunities within the livestock industry and contribute significantly to national economic growth.
The forum equally praised the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, for what it called his proactive leadership and efforts at restoring confidence in the sector.
It expressed confidence that the minister would help actualise President Tinubu’s vision of transforming the livestock industry for national development
It also appreciates governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri for his bold stand in bringing unity and harmony between Fulani herders and farmers hence addressing the perennial herders and farmers conflict.
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