The Adamawa State Government has stripped former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of his traditional title as Waziri Adamawa.
This follows new rules that restrict royal and council titles to indigenes of specific areas within the state.
The development came through a circular dated June 20, 2025, signed by Mrs. Adama Felicity Mamman, Permanent Secretary at the Department of Chieftaincy Affairs under the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
The letter explained that with the creation of new chiefdoms, only people who are originally from the districts under each emirate or council are allowed to hold titles or serve as kingmakers.
Atiku, who is from Jada Local Government Area under the Ganye Chiefdom, does not fall within the required locations – such as Yola South, Yola North, Girei, Mayo-Belwa, Song, and Zumo – that are tied to the Adamawa Emirate Council.
This rule has also affected other titleholders, including the Walin Adamawa.
This decision has generated mixed reactions, especially due to Atiku’s history with Governor Ahmadu Fintiri.
Both were members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the 2023 general elections, but their relationship appears to have broken down.
Atiku has recently been linked to talks with Aishatu Binani, Peter Obi, and Nasir El-Rufai about forming a new political coalition to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.
Tensions have grown further over a new bill before the Adamawa State House of Assembly.
The proposal seeks to give the governor authority to remove any traditional ruler deemed unfit and replace them with a preferred prince.
Critics fear this could be used to tighten control over traditional institutions and remove figures who are not politically aligned with the governor.
While the government maintained that the move is lawful and tied to administrative updates, many believe the decision to remove Atiku is politically motivated, given his rising activity in national opposition politics.
