Atiku Humiliated! Adamawa Govt Revokes His Waziri Title Amid Rising Tensions

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has been stripped of his esteemed Waziri Adamawa title by the Adamawa State Government.

The Adamawa State Government has officially withdrawn the Waziri Adamawa title from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, citing updated indigeneship criteria aimed at reforming emirate council leadership structures.

This development was communicated through a government circular dated June 20, 2025, and signed by Adama Felicity Mamman, Permanent Secretary of the Department of Chieftaincy Affairs. The document outlines the policy as part of a state-wide overhaul of traditional systems spearheaded by Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, following the establishment of several new chiefdoms.

Considered second in influence only to the Lamido Adamawa, the Waziri position now requires that holders originate specifically from Yola South, Yola North, Girei, Mayo-Belwa, Song, or Zumo districts.

Atiku, whose roots lie in Jada LGA—within the Ganye Chiefdom—falls outside the eligible zones and is thereby disqualified under the revised policy.

The circular underscores that the new criteria are not targeted at any individual, but apply to all traditional titleholders whose ancestry does not align with the specified districts. The sweeping policy is expected to trigger significant realignment across the state’s traditional council leadership.

While the state government defends the move as administrative and constitutional, many political analysts suggest it may be driven by emerging rivalries within the PDP. Atiku’s strained relationship with Governor Fintiri, as well as his increasing alignment with influential figures like Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, and Senator Binani, has intensified speculation about a possible new opposition bloc ahead of the 2027 elections.

Meanwhile, a controversial bill currently under review in the state assembly seeks to authorize the governor to depose and install traditional rulers at will—without input from kingmakers or local communities. Critics argue the bill could centralize excessive power in the governor’s hands and jeopardize the autonomy of the traditional leadership structure.