Waziri Title Stripped from Atiku as Adamawa Implements New Indigene Guidelines

Following the adoption of a new policy that prohibits non-indigenous people from holding positions as kingmakers or members of traditional councils, the Adamawa State Government has terminated former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s traditional title of Wazirin Adamawa.

Atiku, who was given the title by Muhammadu Barkindo, the Lamido of Adamawa, in November 2018, is not an indigenous person of the Adamawa Emirate, where the Waziri title is given. Instead, he is originally from Jada in the Ganye Emirate.

Adama Felicity Mamman, Permanent Secretary of the Department of Chieftaincy Affairs, signed a circular dated June 19, 2025, which issued the directive. All traditional councils are required by the circular to promptly dismiss kingmakers and council members who are not native to their respective chiefdoms or emirates.

The circular said:

“All state council members and kingmakers must be natives of their respective chiefdoms. However, regardless of their place of origin in the local government, people with solely honorary traditional titles are free to keep their jobs.

Under the new rules, Atiku, who was promoted from Turakin Adamawa to Wazirin Adamawa, is effectively no longer able to serve on the Adamawa Emirate Council.

Humwashi Wonosikou, the chief press secretary for Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, responded to questions by stating that while the directive is not new, it is now being formally implemented. Although Atiku has lived and registered to vote in Yola for a long time, he pointed out that only the Lamido of Adamawa can decide whether he is an indigenous person.

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Additionally, Wonosikou denied rumors that Governor Fintiri and Atiku were at odds politically, stating that the policy is only administrative in nature. A rift does not exist between them. He stated, “The directive aims to ensure loyalty and integrity within traditional councils.”

Following the adoption of a new chieftaincy law by the Adamawa State House of Assembly in December 2024, seven new emirates and chiefdoms were established. This brought the state’s total number of traditional councils to 14.

The former vice president’s traditional title is unaffected by any formal message, according to Paul Ibe, Atiku’s spokesperson.