Attempts to showcase Governor Darius Ishaku as anti Fulani have backfired. A pro Fulani socio- cultural group, Fulanis for DDI, headed by Lamido Amadu, told newsmen that those showcasing Ishaku as against the fulani nation were merely engaging in politics and parading ignorance. Amadu said that Governor Ishaku has demonstrated that he is detribalized and ready to accommodate all.
He said, “we view with consternation the current attempt to showcase His Excellency, Governor Darius Ishaku as being anti Fulani. First, one of the first appointments the governor made when he came into office was that of a Fulani. The first Special Adviser on Special Duties, Mustapha Hamman Gabdo, is a Fulani. It can’t be more Fulani than that. The current Permanent Secretary at the Bureau of local government and chieftaincy affairs, Mallam Bello Yero, is Fulani. The Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Hassan Mijinyawa, is as Fulani as anyone that can lay claim to our ethnic group.”
Ahmadu further noted that even in the political sphere, Governor Ishaku has not left out the fulanis in strategic appointments. He said, “as we speak, and as you all know, the deputy governor, Eng Haruna Many is Fulani. That means we are number two here. And governor Ishaku gives this deputy governor lots of powers to operate. Another strategic person is Fulani. The Special Adviser to the governor on political matters, Alhaji Bawa, is Fulani. We have other pullos as commissioners, special advisers and special assistants. I can even say Darius is one of the most Fulani friendly governors of all time in our state.”
He said that at the traditional level, Governor Ishaku has supported the Fulani. “Can we easily forget how Governor Ishaku supported the late Lamdo Gashaka? When the Lamdo was ill at Abuja, Governor Ishaku was at hand to support with the bills. Eventually, when the monarch passed on, it was the governor’s lot to ensure a smooth transition at Gashaka. To the governor’s credit, a new Lamdo was installed in one of the most peaceful exercise with dignitaries like Alhaji Ahmed Joda, the Lamido Adamawa, among others hailing the event,” he said.
He further noted that Governor Ishaku has continued to empower the Fulani nation through the revitalisation of industries. Hear him: “reviving the kakara tea plantations on the Mambilla and bringing the tea industry back is essentially for the fulanis because we constitute the work force that have been empowered. And generally speaking, the governor, in all fairness, have always sought the protection of our people. His peace initiatives is aimed at securing the lives and properties of our people. We therefore view as mischievous all attempts to cause disaffection and misinform our people. As an umbrella body of our people in the state, we move to assert that the governor is just, balanced and impartial. We reject the manipulation of politicians who try to twist issues out of proportion and context to score cheap political points. If you wish to portray Governor Ishaku as anti Fulani, then you better be armed with stronger and more convincing points rather than in engaging in puerile speculations.”
