Adamawa Government Revokes Atiku Abubakar’s Traditional Waziri Title Amid Deepening Political Turmoil

 

A whirlwind of controversy has erupted in Adamawa State following the shocking revocation of the revered Waziri Adamawa title from Nigeria’s former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar. The decision, which also affects the Walin Adamawa, has been officially communicated in a circular dated June 20, 2025, signed by Mrs. Adama Felicity Mamman, Permanent Secretary of the Department of Chieftaincy Affairs under the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

This move, which has both political and traditional implications, cites Atiku’s non-indigeneship within the Adamawa Emirate Council’s core districts as the primary reason for the action. The Waziri Adamawa title, considered the second-highest in the Adamawa traditional hierarchy just below the Lamido, has long served as a symbol of Atiku’s deep-rooted influence in the region.

Adamawa’s government recently implemented a policy mandating that all kingmakers and council members must hail from specific districts aligned with their respective chiefdoms. For the Adamawa Emirate Council, this includes Yola South, Yola North, Girei, Mayo-Belwa, Song, and Zumo. Atiku, being from Jada Local Government Area, falls under the Ganye Chiefdom, and thus no longer qualifies under the updated criteria.

The circular explained, “All Kingmakers and Council members in the state must be indigene of their Chiefdoms,” listing the relevant districts for each emirate. This reclassification effectively ends Atiku’s eligibility to hold the Waziri Adamawa title, stirring a political storm across the state.

Observers are interpreting this as more than a bureaucratic reshuffle. Political analysts suggest it is a calculated blow to weaken Atiku’s influence in his native Adamawa, especially as his political ambitions remain alive ahead of the 2027 general elections. The former Vice President has recently been involved in behind-the-scenes negotiations with notable figures like Aishatu Binani, Peter Obi, and Nasir El-Rufai, in a bid to build a formidable opposition coalition against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Tensions between Atiku and Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri have been simmering since the conclusion of the 2023 elections, despite both men contesting under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). While Fintiri was re-elected as governor, Atiku’s bid for the presidency fell short. Sources close to both camps have confirmed that the once-strong alliance has since frayed, and the latest move is being viewed as a public display of that estrangement.

Traditional institutions in northern Nigeria have historically played a subtle but potent role in shaping political narratives and influence. Losing the Waziri title, therefore, is not merely ceremonial for Atiku—it marks a significant setback in terms of cultural legitimacy and local clout. Many within the PDP and allied political circles view this as a tactical maneuver to isolate the former Vice President and curb his mobilization efforts ahead of the next election cycle.

Further fanning the flames is a contentious executive bill currently under review by the Adamawa State House of Assembly. If passed, the legislation would authorize the governor to depose any traditional ruler deemed unfit and appoint a successor of his choosing. Critics argue this proposal could pave the way for extensive political interference in traditional affairs, effectively centralizing power in the hands of the state governor and undermining the autonomy of royal institutions.

Sources within the Adamawa government maintain that the revocation of titles and restructuring of traditional councils is part of a broader modernization effort and in full compliance with legal frameworks. However, the optics suggest otherwise. Atiku’s removal, given his national stature and the timing of the decision, is being read by many as a targeted act designed to publicly diminish his standing and derail his political re-emergence.

Local residents, political analysts, and even some royal figures have expressed concern over the rising entanglement between politics and tradition. For many, the removal of a figure as prominent as Atiku from the chieftaincy structure is less about law and more about power dynamics.

What lies ahead remains uncertain. Atiku, known for his political resilience, may yet use the controversy to galvanize support. On the other hand, Governor Fintiri appears to be reinforcing his grip over Adamawa’s political and traditional spheres, setting the stage for what promises to be a deeply contested political terrain in the years leading to 2027.

While the palace has remained officially silent, the implications of this development ripple far beyond Adamawa, highlighting the increasing fusion of traditional heritage and contemporary politics in Nigeria’s democratic landscape.