Plateau: Group rejects Jos North indigeneship judgement, threatens court action
PIDAN Opposes High Court Ruling on Indigeneship in Jos North
Jos, Nigeria — The Plateau Initiative for Development and Advancement of Natives (PIDAN) has publicly opposed a recent ruling by the High Court of Justice that grants indigeneship status to Hausa/Fulani residents of Jos North Local Government Area based on their birth and long-term residence in the region.
During a press conference held in Jos on Monday, PIDAN announced plans to appeal the decision, asserting its commitment to exploring all available legal avenues. The ruling, delivered by Hon. Justice C. Donglong on June 9, 2026, prompted an emergency meeting among the group’s leadership to assess its implications.
PIDAN leadership emphasized the need for a collaborative approach, stating they are engaging with like-minded organizations in the state to form a committee tasked with reviewing the judgment and determining the next steps, including filing an appeal.
In a communiqué issued at the conclusion of the press conference, PIDAN’s President, Amb. Danjuma Nanpon Sheni, and Secretary-General, Comr. Danjuma Dickson Auta, urged residents to remain peaceful and law-abiding as the legal process unfolds.
“PIDAN maintains that the question of indigenous ownership in Jos North has been addressed through various judicial panels and commissions established following past crises in the area,” the communiqué stated.
The organization referenced several established commissions—the Aribiton Fiberesima Commission (1994), the Niki Tobi Commission (2001), and the Bola Ajibola Commission (2008)—arguing that these bodies have consistently acknowledged only the Afizere, Anaguta, and Berom ethnic nationalities as indigenous groups, with others recognized as long-term residents. PIDAN questioned the justification for Justice Donglong’s ruling.
The statement also noted that the Fiberesima Commission’s report was previously challenged in Plateau State High Court but was upheld by the Jos Division of the Court of Appeal and later confirmed by the Supreme Court.
PIDAN expressed concern that the recent judgment contradicts established legal interpretations and judicial precedent, reiterating that the distinction between citizenship rights and claims of indigeneship is a recognized legal principle throughout Nigeria. While acknowledging the contributions of various ethnic groups in the region, PIDAN underscored that such acknowledgment does not redefine the indigeneity debate related to Jos North.
