Abolish the title ‘Emir of Calabar’, Cross River govt orders Hausa-Fulani community 

The Cross River state government has ordered the Hausa/Fulani communities in the state to immediately abolish the title ‘Emir of Calabar’ and refrain from the plots to create an emirate in Calabar, the state capital.

The directive was given after the leadership of the Hausa/Fulani communities were summoned to the governor’s office.

The state government reacted to the recently coronated head of the Hausa/Fulani community in Calabar, Alhaji Garba Lawan, younger brother of the deceased one, who was addressed and hailed as the Emir of Calabar and paraded as such.

There were increasing social media proclamations of t

The reported ‘appointment’, generated a lot of social media proclamations and comments from people who claimed the territory of northern Nigeria has extended into the Atlantic Ocean.

Addressing the leaders on Tuesday, July 26, 2022, Permanent Secretary of Special Services, Governor’s Office, Sir Alfred Mboto, said, “On no account should any member of the public address any Hausa/Fulani leader as “Emir” in Cross River State.

“This is not acceptable in the state. The state has been known for peace and tranquillity, accommodating and uniting all ethnic nationalities who live in the state.”

Mboto further warned that no leader of the Hausa/Fulani community should be addressed as Emir or be seen with palace guards.

He added that “No leader of the Hausa/Fulani community should be seen with men with swords.

“The leadership of the Hausa/Fulani community must report to the State Government any illegal activities around its environs.”

Special Adviser to Governor on Chieftaincy Matters, Adoga Ifop stated that on account should the Hausa/Fulani community issue a chieftaincy title in the state as issuance of chieftaincy titles is not part of their duties.

In separate speeches, the leader of the Hausa/Fulani Muslim community in the state, Alhaji Garba Lawan; the Chief Imam, Kabeer Olowdayemi, and other leaders of the Hausa/Fulani community in the state claimed that they did not know the publisher of the social media posts.

They pleaded that the scenario would not repeat itself as the community would remain law-abiding.

Present at the meeting were the State Security Adviser (North), Mr Murphy Ntol; the State Security Adviser (South), and Henry Okokon, amongst other security experts.