ADAMAWA STATE STANDS STILL FOR TWO EPOCHAL EVENTS AS DR BARKINDO ALIYU MUSDAFA BECOMES THE 12TH LAMIDO OF ADAMAWA EMIRATE AND ATIKU USES THE OCCASION OF HIS DAUGHTER’S WEDDING TO UNIFY NORTH EAST POLITICIANS
The influx of aircrafts into Yola the Adamawa State capital from 16th June, 2010 was unprecedented in the history of Adamawa. The passengers aboard the planes were in the state to honour the invitation to two major events slated for 17th and 18th of June respectively. First of the events was the wedding of the daughter of Alh. Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Hajia Hawwa Atiku Abubakar to Alhaji Ahmad Tijani, the son of the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Muhmad Lawal Uwais. The ceremony which had the crème the la crème of the Nation's politicians as guests, also served as an avenue to unify hitherto political warlords from across different political factions and camps. Governor Danjuma Goje of Gombe State led the delegation of politicians from the North East, whilst Governor Murtala Nyako led those from the home front (Adamawa State) to pay their respects to the undisputable leader from the zone. The venue was a beehive of activities and the mammoth crowd was attestation enough of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar's political clout in the Region.
The Princewill Political Associates was also represented at the event by its indefatigable media Chief Eze .C. Eze, who personally handed over Prince Tonye Princewill's goodwill message to Atiku. Prince Tonye Princewill was unavoidably absent at the event and in his message, congratulated the father of the bride and wished the new couple the best that life has to offer. And like a prophet he said he was certain the event would be used to further consolidate Atiku's position as a political juggernaut per excellence.
To many the wedding was only a precursor for the event of the next day 18th June; the coronation and .presentation of staff of office to the new Lamido of Adamawa Emirate, His Royal Highness Alh. Dr. Mohammadu Barkindo Aliyu Musdafa, the 12th Lamido of the Fombina Emirate founded in 1809 by Modibbo Adama. The event was made doubly historical by the fact that not only is the Lamido the first to receive a golden staff of office but also the first to receive it from an indigenous Governor (Gov Nyako of Adamawa State).
Besides Lamido Muhammadu Lanwal the first son of the first Lamido and founder of the Emirate (Modibbo Adama) who succeeded his father, Dr Musdafa is the second Lamido to ascend the throne as first son at the demise of his father. With 57 years on the throne, the late monarch Alh Aliyu Musdafa was the longest reigning monarch. He was also the first Lamido to be schooled in the art of traditional ruler ship by lineage, association and academically armed to oversee the over 200 years old Emirate. Describing the turn out at the ceremony would be tantamount to doing it a disservice, because one had to be there to behold the sea of spectators at the event. Dignitaries at the event included Vice President Namadi Sambo, former President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Sultan of Sokoto, Governors, Ministers, members of the diplomatic corp and representatives from Chad, Central Africa etc.
In his congratulatory message to the new Lamido, who he had been fortunate to have audience with on the occasion of a previous visit to Adamawa, Prince Tonye Princewill through the Media Chief of Princewill Political Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze who also represented the group at the event, described the new Lamido as “ an epitome of hard work, an upright man whose love for justice and peace is a challenge to other traditional rulers in Nigeria…I and my Associates pray for greater and better time not only for the Emirate but the entire country”
Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze,
Media Consultant to
Prince Tonye Princewill