Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has been stripped of his traditional title of Waziri Adamawa. His son, Alhaji Aliyu Atiku, who held the title of Turaki Adamawa, has also lost his position.
The development follows a new directive issued by the Adamawa State Government on Tuesday, mandating that all kingmakers and members of traditional councils across the state must be indigenes of the chiefdoms or emirates they represent.
The directive, contained in a circular signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs, Adama Felicity Mamman, stated:
> “All kingmakers and council members in the state must be indigenes of their respective chiefdoms.”
According to the circular, only residents from Yola South, Yola North, Girei, Mayo-Belwa, Song, and Zumo Districts are eligible to serve as kingmakers or council members in the Adamawa Emirate Council. Similarly, only indigenes of Mubi North and Mubi South are permitted to serve in the Mubi Emirate Council.
Atiku and his son hail from Jada Local Government Area, which is part of the Ganye Chiefdom, and therefore do not meet the new eligibility criteria for holding positions within the Adamawa Emirate.
Atiku was last turbaned as Waziri Adamawa in February 2023 by the current Lamido of Adamawa, Alhaji Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Mustapha. The Waziri title is traditionally regarded as the second most senior position in the Adamawa Emirate, ranking just below the Lamido.