Kurmi, Nigeria: History
Kurmi local government was created alongside Ardo-kola, Gassol, and Ussa local governments by the Late Gen. Sani Abacha’s administration in October 1996. Before the creation of Kurmi Local Government, it had endured a checkered history. On 1 April 1960, just some few months to independence and shortly after the then Premier of Northern Nigeria in 1959, Late Sir Ahmadu Bello (The Sardauna of Sokoto) visited Kurmi People, The United Hills Native Authority Was created. This was created alongside Gwoza in the present day Borno State, Ganye in the present day Adamawa State, Gashaka and Mambilla in the present Taraba State in fulfillment of the promises he had made during his visit. His politics was to expand the Northern parts of Nigeria and win the heart of the populace of these Trust Territories to join Nigeria and not Cameroon. In the end, it paid off during the 1961 plebiscite. Readers should also understand that, the first plebiscite in 1959 was a failure, because the people voted for deciding their future in a later date. This was the reason of conducting the second plebiscite in 1961.
The results of the 1959 plebiscite was a big slap to the Northern People Congress and to the French Cameroonian Authorities failing from their aspirations of winning these people or region. The Sardauna of Sokoto understood and vow not to treat the issue with kids gloves any longer, reflecting on the failed plebiscite and he never took it for granted when he campaigned vigorously to win the hearts of the people and he eventually won. These Native Authorities were baits that work so well because they were timely prepared. Kurmi remain a United Hills Native Authority from 1961 to 1971.
To the disheartening of the Kurmi People, ten years after, in 1971, the Native Authority was dissolved. Kurmi and Gashaka Native Authorities were merged with Mambilla. Gembu becomes the New Headquarters of the areas merged. Kurmi and Gashaka then became districts under Mambilla Local Authority. This was the advent of the Local Government System we experience today.