The Chamba Elders Council (CEC) of Adamawa State has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to release the appointment letter of Hon. Abdulrazak Namdas PhD, as Director-General of the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA).
The elders made the appeal on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, during a press briefing held at the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Yola, where they expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for appointing one of their own to the strategic position.
The briefing, led by the Vice Chairman of the Chamba Elders Council, Alhaji Kashim Njidda, was held under the theme, “Together We Stand, Divided We Fall.”
According to the council, the Chamba Elders Council comprises elders of Chamba origin from the Ganye Chiefdom, including Ganye, Jada and Toungo Local Government Areas, as well as Chamba communities in Mayo-Belwa and Fufore Local Government Areas.
The council described the appointment of Namdas as a significant recognition of the Chamba people, noting that it was the first time in many years that a person from the community had been appointed to such a prestigious federal position.
The elders commended President Tinubu for the appointment and also expressed gratitude to Vice President Kashim Shettima for his support to the community.
They recalled that Shettima was represented in Ganye by the Minister of State for Regional Development, Hon. Uba Maigari Ahmadu, during the 25th anniversary celebration of His Royal Highness Gangwari Ganye, Alhaji Umaru Adamu Sanda, OON.
The council said Namdas’ background and experience made him suitable for the BCDA position, particularly because he hails from a border community and the area also co-hosts the Gashaka-Gumti National Park, described by the council as the largest national park in Nigeria.
The elders further highlighted Namdas’ previous public service experience, noting that he served two terms in the Federal House of Representatives, where he chaired the Committees on Media and Public Affairs and Army.
They also noted that he previously served on the Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), representing the North-East Zone.
The council said Namdas had demonstrated strong engagement with the public and commendable performance in his previous positions, expressing confidence that he would bring the same commitment to his new role at the BCDA.
However, the elders raised concern that more than six weeks after the appointment was announced, Namdas was yet to receive his official appointment letter, despite the announcement stating that the appointment should take immediate effect.
They said other individuals appointed alongside him had reportedly received their letters and assumed office, and urged the relevant authorities to address the delay.
The council appealed to President Tinubu, through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), to ensure the immediate release of Namdas’ appointment letter.
They also called on Adamawa State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to assist in ensuring that the appointment letter is released.
The elders argued that the release of the letter would not only enable Namdas to assume his responsibilities but would also boost morale among the people of his community.
Meanwhile, the Vice Chairman of the NUJ Adamawa State Council, Mrs. Nuwanayina Iddah, while addressing the Chamba elders, expressed appreciation for their timely engagement with the media and their decision to bring the matter before the relevant authorities through the press.
She acknowledged the presence of various media organisations at the briefing, including The Nation, Punch and Blueprint, saying the media would report the concerns
raised and seek feedback from the Presidency.
Iddah assured the elders of the continued support of the media in giving appropriate coverage to the issue, expressing optimism that their appeal would receive favourable consideration.
She urged all parties to remain hopeful, stressing that the media would continue to disseminate developments on the matter to the public.
The briefing ended with prayers for a favourable response from the authorities and safe journeys for those who attended the event.
Written by Umar Zubainatu Kambari.
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