Adamawa Govt Strips Ex-Vice President Atiku of Wazirin Title Over Indigeneship Rule
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has been stripped of his revered traditional title of Wazirin Adamawa, following a new directive issued by the Adamawa State Government enforcing strict indigeneship rules for traditional council members.
Atiku, who was turbaned as the seventh Waziri of the Adamawa Emirate in November 2018 by the Lamido of Adamawa, Muhammadu Barkindo, was elevated from his previous title of Turaki Adamawa, a position that had made him a senior member of the Emirate Council.
However, under a circular dated June 19 and signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Department of Chieftaincy Affairs, Adama Felicity Mamman, the government directed all emirate and chiefdom councils to immediately remove any kingmaker or council member who is not an indigene of the specific emirate or chiefdom.
“Following the creation of new Chiefdoms in the State by the Executive Governor of Adamawa State, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, I am directed to inform you that all Kingmakers and Council members in the state must be indigenes of their Chiefdoms,” the circular reads.
It specifically lists the districts considered indigenous to each emirate and notes:
“With the content of this Circular, all Kingmakers and Council members who are not indigenes of the Chiefdoms have been relieved of their appointments.”
Although the circular provides that those holding only traditional titles without council roles can retain their titles, Atiku’s position as Waziri inherently made him a council member, which means the directive would strip him of the role.
Atiku, a native of Jada in Ganye Emirate, is therefore not considered indigenous to the Adamawa Emirate based in Yola, which covers Yola South, Yola North, Girei, Mayo-Belwa, Song, and Zumo districts.
Asked how the new directive affects Atiku specifically, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Humwashi Wonosikou, said the clarification could only come from the Lamido of Adamawa himself.
“Alhaji Atiku Abubakar lives in Yola and is a registered voter there, so only the Lamido can determine his indigeneship status,” Wonosikou said.
He further clarified that the directive wasn’t new:
“The governor gave the directive when he presented the staff of office to the emirs and chiefs of the newly created emirates and chiefdoms early this year. This circular is just a formal implementation step.”
Wonosikou also dismissed growing speculations about a rift between Governor Fintiri and Atiku, stating:
“There is no rift between them.”
The Adamawa State Government had in December created seven new emirates and chiefdoms, bringing the total number of traditional councils in the state to 14. The directive to localize council membership is part of the implementation of the Adamawa State Chiefs (Appointment and Deposition) and Matters Incidental Thereto Law, passed in December 2023.
When contacted on Tuesday night, Paul Ibe, media adviser to Atiku Abubakar, said he had no knowledge of the development, a report by Premium Times NG said.
“I am not aware of any such policy affecting the Waziri title,” he said.
It was also gathered that as of press time, the Lamido of Adamawa has not issued any public statement on the matter. Read More
