The Adamawa State Government has officially revoked the revered traditional title of Waziri Adamawa previously held by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, citing a new policy on indigeneship and eligibility for emirate council positions.
The decision, conveyed in a circular dated June 20 and signed by Mrs. Adama Felicity Mamman, Permanent Secretary of the Department of Chieftaincy Affairs, is part of sweeping reforms targeting traditional leadership structures across the state.
The move comes on the heels of the creation of several new chiefdoms under Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri’s administration.
The Waziri Adamawa title—long regarded as the second most prestigious position in the Adamawa Emirate after the Lamido—now falls under stricter new eligibility criteria.
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According to the circular, only individuals from Yola North, Yola South, Girei, Mayo-Belwa, Song, and Zumo districts are eligible for emirate council titles or membership.
Atiku, who hails from Jada Local Government Area, located within the Ganye Chiefdom, no longer qualifies under the new rules.
The state government insists the restructuring is administrative and aims to align traditional institutions with the evolving demographics and geopolitical realities of the state.
“The directive affects not just Atiku Abubakar but several other titleholders across the state whose origins fall outside the approved districts,” the circular stated, emphasizing uniform application of the policy across all emirate systems.
However, political analysts have linked the move to rising tensions between Governor Fintiri and Atiku Abubakar. Both were prominent figures within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the 2023 elections, but recent events suggest widening political divisions.
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In recent months, the former vice president has held high-level talks with leading figures like the Labour Party’s Peter Obi, former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and APC stalwart Senator Aishatu Binani. The meetings have fueled speculation about the formation of a broad-based opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Further complicating the situation is a contentious bill currently before the Adamawa State House of Assembly, which seeks to empower the governor to depose and appoint traditional rulers deemed unfit.
The Emirate Council and the Lamido of Adamawa have yet to issue a public statement on the revocation of Atiku’s title.
However, traditional leaders and community stakeholders are expected to meet in the coming days to deliberate on the wider implications of the policy changes.