The Adamawa State Government has withdrawn the traditional title of Waziri Adamawa from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, following a new policy that redefines eligibility for emirate council titles in the state.
This was made known in an official circular dated June 20, 2025, signed by the Permanent Secretary, Department of Chieftaincy Affairs, Mrs. Adama Felicity Mamman.
According to the circular, the action is part of ongoing reforms in the traditional institution structure, following the recent creation of new chiefdoms under the administration of Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri.
Under the new arrangement, only persons who are indigenes of Yola North, Yola South, Girei, Mayo-Belwa, Song, and Zumo districts are eligible to hold positions within the emirate councils. As a native of Jada Local Government Area, which falls under the Ganye Chiefdom, Atiku no longer qualifies to hold the title of Waziri.
The Waziri title is traditionally seen as the second most senior in the Adamawa Emirate, after the Lamido.
The circular also noted that the new indigeneship policy affects all traditional council members and titleholders in emirate councils across the state whose origins fall outside the specified districts.
