In a dramatic political and traditional shake-up, the Adamawa State Government has officially stripped former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of his prestigious title, Waziri Adamawa, citing non-indigeneship—a move widely viewed as a strategic attempt to weaken his influence in the state
The Waziri Adamawa title is second only to the Lamido, the paramount ruler of Adamawa, making it one of the most powerful traditional positions in the region.
Atiku’s removal, along with that of the Walin Adamawa, was revealed in a circular dated June 20, 2025. The document, signed by Mrs. Adama Felicity Mamman, Permanent Secretary of the Department of Chieftaincy Affairs, explained that only indigenes of specific local government areas are now eligible to serve as kingmakers or council members in the state’s traditional institutions.
The circular stated:
“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 respective Chiefdoms.
E.g., members of the Adamawa Emirate Council must be indigenes of Yola South, Yola North, Girei, Mayo-Belwa, Song, and Zumo Districts; while those in the Mubi Emirate Council must come from Mubi North and Mubi South, and so on.”
This development effectively disqualifies Atiku, a native of Jada Local Government Area under the Ganye Chiefdom, from holding any title within the Adamawa Emirate Council.
The timing of the directive has raised eyebrows, with political observers interpreting it as a direct jab at Atiku by Governor Fintiri—once his ally in the 2023 elections, when both ran under the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). While Atiku contested the presidency, Fintiri was re-elected as governor.
Their relationship, however, has since soured, especially following Atiku’s recent political moves involving discussions with Fintiri’s longtime rival, Aishatu Binani, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai to form a new opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 elections.
Adding to the tension is a controversial executive bill currently before the Adamawa State House of Assembly. The bill seeks to grant the governor sweeping powers to depose any “ailing” emir or king and appoint a “chosen prince” as successor.
Critics say the proposed law could open the door for a broad political purge disguised as traditional reform, giving the governor unprecedented control over the state’s royal institutions.
While state officials maintain that the new directive is lawful and procedural, the symbolic weight of removing one of Nigeria’s most influential political figures from his royal title is being seen as a major political earthquake.
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