The descendants of Ndanekpa, one of the ruling clans in Adadu community in Toto Local Council of the state, have raised alarm over the distortion of their family history by descendants of Asumburuku, the current ruling house of the community.
The ruling clan stated that In October 2022, a descendant of Asumburuku, Umar Musa, was appointed Gbadu Adadu of the community, after the death of Ibrahim Tukura in 2000.
He explained that the installation came after 20 years of internal family conflict.
However, at the installation ceremony, Ndanekpa’s descendants accused the Asumburuku family of deliberately not recognizing the first traditional ruler, Ndanekpa Usman Audu, who is from the ruling house of Ndanekpa.
In a statement issued yesterday by Muhammadu Gani, Ndanekpa’s descendants also accused the Asumburuku family of trying to change the Ndanekpa clan from Onyohu to Onyebu.
The statement recalled that the town of Adadu was founded in 1637 by Ndanekpa Usman Audu, the son of Audu Maijaki, who together with his brothers, migrated from Yan-Tumaki to settle in Danja in the present Katsina State.
According to the statement, his brothers – Muhammadu Audu (elder brother) and Abdullahi Audu (younger brother), left Danja area as a result of leadership tussle and search for land ownership.
The statement read: “The trio is in Gwuzunu, and from there, they live around Bukit Andaki with their families.
“The brothers and their families then found the land they wanted, and from their joy they shouted: ‘kanggo gabiya luka’ (this is the solution to the search), therefore, the name Itoto Gambiya got,” said Gani.
He added that the three brothers have roles and responsibilities among themselves.
While stating that Muhammadu was made Nda-gbadu, leader and chief, the statement added that Usman was made Ndanekpa, the chief priest in religion, while Abdullahi was named Ikanna (commander of hunters and commander of guards).
“A female leader, Igyagu, the influential daughter of Muhammadu, is in charge of women’s affairs and the market square (Onyohu)”, the statement added.
“As time passed, some family members decided to explore the land in separate directions, leaving Muhammadu behind. [Nda-Gbadu] and others behind.
“It took Usman Audu, Ndanekpa, Abdullahi Audu and Ikanna to where they are today, then named Adadu.
“So, Ndanekpa Usman Audu was the first Chief, Gbadu from Adadu followed by his son, Ondoma Ndanekpa.”
The statement explained that after the murder, his sister, Zainab, the eldest in the family decided to make her only child, Momoh, the next head of Adadu.
“The move by Zainab was strongly opposed by Asumburuku descendants who claimed the right to produce the next Adadu chief and not Momoh who came from another Clan (Onyezima) and had no direct lineage to Ndanekpa from Onyohu.
“A truce was made between Asumburu and Zainab that after Momoh, the next chief should come from Asumburu”, the statement added.
When contacted, the newly installed traditional ruler, Mr. Musa, denied the allegation, insisting that the community leaders would soon meet to discuss all the contentious issues.
“What you said is not true, but we will have a meeting, and when the meeting is over I will give you a full advice”, he said.