By Atoyebi Nike
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has been stripped of his revered traditional title of Waziri Adamawa, following a new directive by the Adamawa State Government restricting traditional council roles to indigenes of specific chiefdoms and emirates.
The title, which Atiku held since February 2023, was conferred on him by the current Lamido of Adamawa, Mustapha Barkindo. His son, Alhaji Aliyu Atiku, also lost his position as Turaki Adamawa under the new ruling.
In a circular issued Tuesday, the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs directed that all kingmakers and traditional council members across the state must now be natives of the territories they represent.
Signed by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Adama Felicity Mamman, the circular stated:
“All kingmakers and council members in the state must be indigenes of their respective chiefdoms.”
Specifically, the government outlined that only residents of Yola South, Yola North, Girei, Mayo-Belwa, Song, and Zumo Districts are eligible to serve in the Adamawa Emirate Council, thereby excluding Atiku, a native of Jada Local Government Area, which belongs to the Ganye Chiefdom.
The Waziri Adamawa is traditionally regarded as the second-highest position within the Adamawa Emirate hierarchy, subordinate only to the Lamido.
Political observers believe the decision could have implications for the influence of non-indigenous elites within traditional institutions across the state.
