Fufore Emirate Council Recieves New Wakili Gurin Amid Controversy
By Ojoma Yusuf,Yola
The Fufore Emirate Council in Adamawa State has installed a new district head for Gurin, following a selection process that has generated controversy among some contestants.
Alhaji Abubakar Salihu, Sarkin Turawa has emerged as the new Wakili Gurin after a contest involving five princes who initially indicated interest in the stool.
The installation has sparked protests from some aspirants, who accused the selection committee of bias and lack of transparency.
Speaking to journalists, one of the contestants, Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim, Walli Gurin, expressed dissatisfaction with the process, alleging that it was politicised and not conducted in a free and fair manner. He claimed that members of the committee showed interest in a particular candidate and deliberately sidelined others.
According to him, he received several calls urging him to withdraw from the contest, which he refused, insisting that the position was his birthright. He called on the Adamawa State Government, particularly Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, to intervene and ensure justice. He also appealed to the Lamido of Fufore to play a fatherly role in resolving the matter.
Another contestant, Alhaji Lawal Ibrahim, Chiroma Gurin from Fufore Local Government Area, also rejected the outcome of the installation. He alleged that he was pressured by some individuals, including a member of the selection committee, to step down from the race.
He appealed to Governor Fintiri and the Lamido of Fufore to intervene, describing the process as unfair.
He further stated that the governor, whom he described as a champion of justice, should look into the matter, alleging that threats were made to force some aspirants to withdraw from the contest.
Responding to the allegations, the newly installed Wakili Gurin, Alhaji Abubakar Salihu Katuka Gurin, said the process was transparent and followed due tradition. He explained that five candidates initially showed interest and were screened by a committee, after which two candidates qualified for the final stage, from which he emerged successful.
The new district head, a great-grandson of Modibo Hamman Gurin, the founder of the Gurin community that has ruled for over 250 years, expressed happiness over his emergence. He noted that the filling of a traditional stool does not require campaigning, as it is not a political position, and advised aggrieved parties to channel their complaints through the appropriate authorities.
Also speaking, Alhaji Sahabo Aliyu Gurin, Kaigama Funange, who was part of the process, maintained that the selection was free and fair. He said that two contestants withdrew while one was absent, leaving two candidates to contest the final stage.
He added that from his perspective, there was no controversy surrounding the process and urged anyone with grievances to seek redress through the appropriate channels.
