Adamawa Ardos defy Kautal Haure, reaffirm support for Abbo’s 2027 guber bid
By Mohammed Ismail
No fewer than 39 Ardos from across Adamawa State’s 21 local government areas have reaffirmed their support for Labour Party’s governorship candidate, Senator Ishaku Abbo, declaring that they would not abandon their preferred candidate despite opposition from the leadership of Miyetti Allah Tabital Pulaku Kautal Haure.
The Ardos, who converged in Yola on Friday, said their decision to support Abbo was based on years of personal relationships, mutual understanding and assistance to Fulani communities, rather than ethnic or religious considerations.
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The gathering was convened by the group’s leader, Ardo Maikano Ahmadu Bello, in response to the reported position of the Adamawa leadership of Tabital Pulaku Kautal Haure against their endorsement of Abbo’s governorship ambition ahead of the 2027 general election.
The Ardos maintained that no socio-cultural organisation should dictate the political choices of its members or threaten them with sanctions for exercising their constitutional rights.
Speaking at the meeting, Ahmadu Bello described the reported opposition to their endorsement as an attempt to interfere with their freedom of association and democratic participation.
He argued that members of the Fulani community should be free to support candidates of their choice without fear of suspension or other disciplinary measures from socio-cultural organisations.
“No force on earth can take away our democratic right to vote for the candidate of our choice,” he said.
Ahmadu Bello said the Ardos’ support for Abbo was informed by the senator’s longstanding assistance to Fulani communities and individuals in need.
He listed the provision of veterinary medicines for cattle, educational support for children, assistance to individuals and interventions in communities as some of the reasons behind their decision.
According to him, the Ardos consider their endorsement an expression of appreciation for the senator’s past engagements with their communities.
“We will never bow to the whims and caprices of selfish leaders whose interests are limited to advancing personal ambitions at the expense of their members’ collective interests,” he said.
He added that voters should be allowed to assess candidates based on their records, integrity, achievements and contributions to society.
“Democracy gives us the right to decide whom to elect based on his track record, accomplishments, personal integrity and contributions to humanity,” he said.
The convener maintained that Abbo’s approach to relationships across ethnic and religious lines had strengthened their confidence in his leadership, adding that they believed his administration would address issues affecting Fulani communities and the wider population of Adamawa State.
He also distinguished the traditional leadership institution represented by the Ardos from socio-cultural organisations, arguing that membership of such organisations should not be treated as a condition for determining the political choices of Fulani people.
Other traditional leaders, women and youth representatives who spoke at the meeting including Ardo Sale Waziri, Ardo Barde Manu, Ardo Saleh Guyuk, Ja’o Lamurde, Alhaji Inusa Abdullahi, Alhaji Bi Magi, Hajia Fatimatu Umar, Ardo Saleh Maidugu, Jauro Gungun Bello, Ardo Abbo of Mayo-Belwa, Wakili Haro Galadima and Ardo Misa re-echoed the position of Ahmadu Bello.
They expressed support for Abbo’s governorship bid and endorsed the leadership of Ahmadu Bello, whom they described as fair and committed to their collective interests.
The speakers pledged to deploy their networks and influence to mobilise support for the senator across the state’s 21 local government areas, to ensure his comprehensive victory.
Responding, the Director-General of Abbo’s campaign organisation, Abubakar Usman Damare, said the reported threat of sanctions against the Ardos for endorsing a candidate was inconsistent with democratic principles.
He argued that while traditional institutions and socio-cultural organisations could play important roles in community affairs, neither should prevent individuals from making independent political choices.
The campaign director urged the Ardos to remain committed to their decision, describing the controversy surrounding their endorsement as a reason for them to restate their position.
Also speaking, the Labour Party deputy governorship candidate, Hon. Sanusi Faruk Jauro, who represented Abbo at the gathering, thanked the traditional leaders for their support.
Jauro assured the Fulani community that an Abbo-led administration would give attention to their economic and social concerns, particularly livestock-related trade, children’s education and infrastructure development.
He said the proposed administration would seek to improve opportunities for Fulani communities while addressing the broader development needs of Adamawa State.
