Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar may lose his title of Waziri Adamawa following a new policy by the Adamawa state government requiring all kingmakers and traditional council members to be indigenes of the emirates or chiefdoms they represent.
Atiku, a native of Jada in Ganye chiefdom, currently holds the title of Waziri Adamawa, conferred on him in June 2017 by Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Mustapha, the Lamido of Adamawa.
The title comes with a seat on the Adamawa Emirate Council.
However, a circular signed by Adama Mamman, permanent secretary in the state ministry of chieftaincy affairs, and dated June 19, stated that only persons from specific districts are eligible to serve on the council.
The directive follows the creation of new chiefdoms by Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, the state governor.
The circular specifies that only persons from Yola south, Yola north, Girei, Mayo-Belwa, Song, and Zumo districts are eligible for the Adamawa emirate council, while only indigenes of Mubi north and Mubi south qualify for the Mubi Emirate Council.
“Following the creation of new Chiefdoms in the State by the Executive Governor of Adamawa State, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umar Fintiri, I am directed to inform you that all Kingmakers and Council members in the state must be indigene (sic) of their Chiefdoms, e,g all Kingmakers and Council members from Adamawa Emirate Council must be indigene (sic) of Yola South, Yola North, Girei, Mayo-Belwa, Song and Zumo districts, while those of Mubi Emirate Council must be indigene (sic) of Mubi South and Mubi North, Vis-a-vis all Emirates/Traditional Councils in the State,” the circular reads.
“However, those appointed or conferred with Only Traditional titles are to maintain their status regardless of their Local Government of indigene. With the content of this Circular, all Kingmakers and Council members who are not indigenes of the Chiefdoms have been relieved of their appointments.”
The government said the policy is expected to strengthen the cultural integrity of traditional leadership institutions in the state.
