Nobody Sacked Lamido Adamawa as Life Chairman, Council of Emirs & Chiefs, Says State Assembly
From Umar Dankano, Yola
The Adamawa State House of Assembly has refuted reports suggesting the removal of the Lamido Adamawa, His Royal Highness Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Mustapha, as the Life Chairman of the State Council of Emirs and Chiefs.
The alleged removal, which went viral on social media, sparked confusion and discontent among the people of Adamawa State and beyond.
Addressing a press conference in Yola on Friday, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information and Member representing Mayo-Belwa Constituency, Hon. Kalamu Musa Mahmoud, clarified that the Lamido Adamawa remains the Life Chairman of the Council, as enshrined in Section 17 of the Adamawa State Laws.
He stated that the law establishing the Adamawa State Council of Chiefs firmly upholds the Lamido Adamawa’s position. Furthermore, Section 18 of the law defines the council’s membership, which includes first-class chiefs, second-class chiefs, the Permanent Secretary of Chieftaincy Affairs, and the Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON).
Hon. Kalamu explained that the recent creation of zonal traditional councils does not affect the Lamido Adamawa’s role. He noted that while the zonal councils will have rotational chairmanship, they remain subordinate to the state chairman, the Lamido Adamawa.
“This clarification reaffirms the Lamido Adamawa’s status and dispels any misinformation or misrepresentation regarding his leadership,” Kalamu stated.
Reports from Yola indicate that the controversy stems from an amended state law passed by the Assembly, which empowers the governor to appoint and remove emirs and chiefs. The amendment also facilitated the creation of 83 new districts, a move that has sparked significant debate in the state.
While some see the development as a transformative step for the traditional institution, others view it as a politically motivated attempt to target traditional leaders believed to have supported opposing governorship candidates during the contentious 2023 election.
