Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, has inaugurated the Adamawa State Peace, Conflict Resolution and Social Integration Commission. This move aims to tackle persistent farmer-herder clashes, particularly in the Numan Federation, which have led to significant casualties, displacement, and destruction of property.
The commission's establishment fulfils a 2019 campaign pledge by Governor Fintiri to address the "infectious wound" of conflicts, prominent in late 2017 and early 2018. Following his assumption of office, a scoping study highlighted the "fragility of our coexistence", Governor Fintiri stated.
While presiding over the inauguration of the commission on Monday, at the Council Chambers, Government House Yola Governor Fintiri revealed that, a precursor to the commission was the 2020 Technical Committee on the Security Situation in the Numan Federation. He emphasised that the committee facilitated over two months of engagement between elite leaders from the Bachama and Fulani communities. He added that the committee's recommendations, including the creation of the inaugurated commission, have been adopted as the state's "peace compass."
Governor Fintiri announced that the commission is established under ADS Law 14 of 2020, signed in 2021 and gazetted in 2022. Its core objectives include:
Promoting peace and harmonious coexistence.
Conflict prevention.
Non-violent intervention, mediation, and peaceful resolution of communal and inter-ethnic conflicts.
Governor Fintiri emphasised that the security of lives and property remains a top priority of his administration's "recalibrated 8-Point Agenda" and "Adamawa 2.0" initiative, stating that "peace is indeed the foundation upon which every other development pillar can be constructed."
The new commission comprises 19 members. HRH Alhamdu Gladstone Teneke, MFR, Hama Bata, will serve as part-time Chairman, with Dr. Jamila Suleiman as Executive Vice Chairman. Other members include permanent commissioners, ex-officio members from various government offices, Chairmen of Maiha, Hong, and Toungo local government areas, nominees from the Muslim Council and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), representatives from Traditional Councils and youth organisations, and representatives from the All Farmers Association and pastoralists. Abubakar Bacci is the commission's Secretary. The appointments are effective immediately.
Responding on behalf of the Commission, its Chairman, Hama Batta, HRM Homun Gladson Teneke, said peace is sacrosanct and must be pursued vigorously. He commended Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri for making peace a priority of his administration by engaging relevant stakeholders to ensure peace is sustained in the state. He assured that the commission will be patriotic and execute its responsibilities accordingly.