Following the adoption of a new policy that prohibits non-indigenous people from holding positions as kingmakers or members of traditional councils, the Adamawa State Government has revoked the traditional title of Wazirin Adamawa, which was previously held by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Originally from Jada in the Ganye Emirate, Atiku was granted the title in November 2018 by Muhammadu Barkindo, the Lamido of Adamawa. He is not an indigenous person of the Adamawa Emirate, where the Waziri title is bestowed.
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Adama Felicity Mamman, the Permanent Secretary of the Department of Chieftaincy Affairs, signed the circular containing the directive on June 19, 2025. According to the circular, kingmakers and council members who are not native to their respective emirates or chiefdoms must be removed right away by all traditional councils.
According to the circular:
“Every member of the state’s Kingmakers and Council must be a native of their chiefdom. However, regardless of the local government of origin, people with solely honorary traditional titles are free to keep their jobs.
The new rules effectively make Atiku, who was promoted from Turakin Adamawa to Wazirin Adamawa, unable to continue serving on the Adamawa Emirate Council.
In response to questions, Humwashi Wonosikou, the chief press secretary for Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, explained that while the directive is not new, it is currently being formally implemented. He pointed out that even though Atiku has lived and registered to vote in Yola for a long time, only the Lamido of Adamawa may decide if he is an indigenous person.
Additionally, Wonosikou denied rumors of a political confrontation between Atiku and Governor Fintiri, stating that the policy is only administrative in nature. “They are not at odds with one another. He stated that the goal of the directive is to guarantee integrity and loyalty in traditional councils.
The action comes after the Adamawa State House of Assembly passed a new chieftaincy law in December 2024, which led to the establishment of seven new emirates and chiefdoms. As a result, the state now has fourteen traditional councils.
Paul Ibe, a spokesman for Atiku, stated that he was not aware of any formal correspondence that would have affected the former vice president’s traditional title.
