The Adamawa State Government has officially stripped Nigeria’s former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, of his revered title as Waziri Adamawa, citing non-indigeneship—a move widely seen as a calculated effort to diminish his political influence in his home state.
The Waziri Adamawa is the second highest in authority after the paramount ruler, the Lamido of Adamawa.
The removal, which also affects the Walin Adamawa, was disclosed in a circular dated June 20, 2025, and signed by Mrs. Adama Felicity Mamman, Permanent Secretary of the Department of Chieftaincy Affairs under the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
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 indigene (sic) of their Chiefdoms.
“E.g, all Kingmakers and Council members from Adamawa Emirate Council must be indigene of Yola South, Yola North, Girei, Mayo-Belwa, Song and Zumo Districts; while those of Mubi Emirate Council, must be indigene of Mubi North, Mubi South vis-à-vis all Emirates/Traditional councils in the state,” the circular stated.
This effectively disqualifies Atiku, who hails from Jada Local Government Area under the Ganye Chiefdom, from holding a title within the Adamawa Emirate Council.
The timing and nature of the directive have sparked outrage and speculation, as political watchers interpret it as a deliberate public humiliation of Atiku by Governor Umaru Fintiri—his former political ally during the 2023 general elections.
Both men contested under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with Atiku running for President and Fintiri for governor.
However, the relationship between the two appears to have deteriorated dramatically, particularly in light of Atiku’s recent involvement in talks with Fintiri’s arch-rival, Aishatu Binani, Peter Obi and former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to form a new opposition coalition aimed at unseating President Bola Tinubu’s APC in the 2027 elections.
Further stirring unease is a controversial executive bill now before the Adamawa State House of Assembly, which seeks to empower the governor to “depose any ailing emir or king” and install a “chosen prince” of his preference.
Critics argue that this would grant the governor sweeping powers over traditional institutions, potentially enabling a broader political purge under the guise of administrative reform.
While government insiders insist the decision is routine and legal, the symbolism of ousting one of Nigeria’s most prominent political figures from his royal position is being seen as nothing short of a political thunderclap.
