Adamawa Government Restructures Emirate System, Excludes Atiku and Others from Traditional Roles
The Secretary of the Adamawa State Department of Chieftaincy Affairs has issued a directive in line with the ongoing restructuring of traditional institutions. This move follows the recent creation of new chiefdoms across the state by Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri.
As part of the changes, the role of kingmakers and council members in the Adamawa Emirate is now restricted to indigenes of six specific districts: Yola South, Yola North, Girei, Mayo-Belwa, Song, and Zumo. This effectively disqualifies individuals from outside these areas, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who hails from Jada in the Ganye Chiefdom.
The Waziri Adamawa—a title traditionally regarded as second only to the Lamido in the emirate’s hierarchy—is among the positions affected. The new indigeneship rule means that current titleholders from other regions could be excluded from decision-making roles within the emirate.
While the government claims the directive is part of administrative reforms to modernize traditional institutions, critics view it as politically motivated. The timing has raised eyebrows, particularly given the reportedly strained relationship between Governor Fintiri and Atiku, both formerly aligned under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the 2023 elections but now seen on diverging political paths.
Atiku has recently been linked to discussions with notable figures such as Nasir El-Rufai, Peter Obi, and Aishatu Binani, suggesting early moves to form a new opposition alliance ahead of the 2027 elections.
Adding to the controversy, a bill currently under consideration in the Adamawa State House of Assembly proposes granting the governor sweeping powers to depose traditional rulers deemed unfit and appoint successors directly. Critics argue that the bill, if passed, would concentrate excessive authority in the hands of the executive, further weakening the autonomy of traditional institutions.
Meanwhile, calls have emerged from political voices such as Baba-Ahmed, urging Atiku to abandon future presidential ambitions and assume the role of a national statesman instead.
