The Plateau State Youth Council (PSYC) has rejected a recent High Court judgment that reportedly granted indigeneship status to members of the Hausa-Fulani community in Jos North Local Government Area, describing the ruling as a threat to the historical identity of indigenous ethnic groups and the fragile peace in Plateau State.
In a statement issued on June 17, 2026, and signed by the Council’s Public Relations Officer, Bahal Nanpyal Mark, on behalf of Chairman Panan Gongden Dapar, the youth body expressed concern over the June 9 judgment in the case of Fatima Baba Akawu & Anor v. Jos North Local Government Council, delivered by Justice D. D. Donglong.
The council said the ruling, which has generated widespread public debate, seeks to undermine the ancestral heritage and identity of the indigenous people of Jos North, namely the Afizere, Anaguta, and Berom ethnic groups.
According to the statement, the judgment could have far-reaching consequences for peace, unity, and social cohesion in Plateau State, given the long-standing disputes surrounding issues of identity, ownership, and belonging in the area.
The PSYC acknowledged that Hausa and Fulani residents of Plateau State are citizens of Nigeria with full constitutional rights but argued that citizenship should not be equated with indigeneship.
The council cited Section 318(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, maintaining that indigene status is rooted in ancestral and native community affiliations. It argued that residence or birth in a particular area without historical, ethnic, and communal ties does not automatically confer indigeneship.
The youth body further warned that if the principle established by the judgment were to be broadly applied, other long-settled communities across Plateau State and Nigeria could also seek indigeneship status, potentially creating significant constitutional and socio-political implications nationwide.
While reaffirming confidence in the Nigerian judiciary, the council stated that the interpretation contained in the judgment should, if upheld, be applied consistently across the country rather than selectively.
The PSYC also expressed concern that the ruling could encourage what it described as longstanding efforts aimed at achieving political, demographic, and territorial dominance over indigenous communities in their ancestral homelands.
The statement noted that the Hausa-Fulani community has not been recognized as one of the ethnic nationalities under the Plateau Initiative for the Development and Advancement of the Natives (PIDAN), adding that the community has never sought membership in the organization.
The council further criticized the Jos North Local Government Council under the leadership of Hon. John K. Christopher, alleging that it failed to adequately defend the interests of the indigenous communities during the legal proceedings.
According to the youth body, the council’s reported failure to actively contest the suit reflected a lack of sensitivity to an issue of significant historical and constitutional importance.
Consequently, the PSYC called on the Jos North Local Government Council and the Plateau State Attorney-General to immediately file an appeal against the judgment.
The council urged relevant authorities to take all lawful measures necessary to safeguard what it described as the constitutional rights, historical heritage, and ancestral identity of the Afizere, Anaguta, and Berom people.
It also appealed to Plateau residents, particularly young people, to remain peaceful, law-abiding, and united while pursuing legal and constitutional avenues in addressing the matter.
“The preservation of peace, justice, and the dignity of indigenous communities must remain paramount in our collective efforts to build a stronger and more united Plateau State,” the statement concluded.