Controversy as Gov Fintiri strips Atiku of Waziri Adamawa title

The Adamawa State Government has officially revoked the traditional title of Waziri Adamawa previously held by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

This move follows the introduction of a new state policy mandating that all traditional titleholders and members of emirate councils must be indigenes of the respective chiefdoms in which they serve.

The revocation was disclosed in a circular dated June 20, 2025, and signed by Mrs. Adama Felicity Mamman, Permanent Secretary in the Department of Chieftaincy Affairs.

The directive is part of the ongoing restructuring of traditional institutions in the state after the creation of new chiefdoms by Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri.

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The Waziri Adamawa title is traditionally recognised as the second most senior position in the Adamawa Emirate, next to the Lamido of Adamawa.

According to the circular, eligibility for such positions will now be limited to indigenes of Yola South, Yola North, Girei, Mayo-Belwa, Song, and Zumo districts, automatically disqualifying Atiku, who hails from Jada Local Government Area, which belongs to the Ganye Chiefdom.

Other traditional titleholders who do not meet the new indigeneship criteria are also affected by this directive.

While the government insists the move is purely administrative, linked to recent reforms in the state’s traditional institution structure, political watchers have hinted at deeper political motives.

They point to the growing political rift between Governor Fintiri and Atiku, both formerly members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the 2023 general elections but now on opposing sides of new political alignments.

Atiku has in recent months been linked to fresh opposition talks with figures like Nasir El-Rufai, Peter Obi, and Aishatu Binani in a bid to form a new political front ahead of the 2027 elections.

In a related development, a controversial new bill currently before the Adamawa State House of Assembly is raising concerns among traditional leaders and political analysts.

The bill seeks to empower the governor to depose any traditional ruler considered unfit and appoint a replacement directly.

(PoliticsNigeria)