Conflicting reports emerged on Tuesday regarding the alleged revocation of the traditional title of Waziri Adamawa, previously held by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, by the Adamawa State Government.
The controversy followed a new state policy mandating that all titleholders and council members within emirate councils must be indigenes of the respective chiefdoms. However, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Humwashi Wonosikou, later dismissed the reports as false.
A circular dated June 20, 2025, signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Department of Chieftaincy Affairs, Mrs. Adama Felicity Mamman, outlined the new directive. It followed the recent restructuring of traditional institutions in the state after the creation of new chiefdoms by Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri.
The Waziri Adamawa title, traditionally seen as the second most senior position in the Adamawa Emirate after the Lamido, would now be limited to indigenes of districts including Yola South, Yola North, Girei, Mayo-Belwa, Song, and Zumo. This change excluded Atiku, who hails from Jada Local Government Area under the Ganye Chiefdom.
The policy also affected other titleholders who no longer meet the new indigeneship requirements. Despite the implications, the government has maintained that the move is part of administrative reforms aimed at streamlining the traditional institution.
Wonosikou, when contacted, denied that Atiku had been stripped of the title, insisting the reports were inaccurate. Political analysts have linked the timing of the controversy to a growing rift between Governor Fintiri and Atiku. Although both were members of the Peoples Democratic Party during the 2023 elections, they are reportedly on opposing sides in emerging political realignments.
Atiku has recently been connected to political consultations involving figures like Nasir El-Rufai, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and Aishatu Binani, who contested against Fintiri in the last election. Amid these developments, a new bill before the Adamawa State House of Assembly seeks to grant the governor powers to depose traditional rulers deemed unfit and directly appoint successors. The proposal has sparked criticism, with concerns it could centralise excessive authority in the executive arm of government.
Source : https://www.thisdaylive.com/
