In a move stirring political and traditional circles, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State has officially revoked the chieftaincy title of Waziri Adamawa from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, along with several other high-profile traditional titleholders.

The decision, outlined in a government circular dated June 20, 2025, was signed by Mrs. Adama Felicity Mamman, Permanent Secretary of the Department of Chieftaincy Affairs under the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

According to the circular, the action follows the creation of new Chiefdoms and a policy requiring that all Kingmakers and Council members must be indigenes of their respective chiefdoms. 

This policy change directly disqualifies Atiku, a native of Jada LGA under Ganye Chiefdom, from holding a traditional position within the Adamawa Emirate Council, where the Waziri title is situated.

 “All Kingmakers and Council members in the state must be indigenes of their Chiefdoms,” the circular stated, citing specific local government areas such as Yola North, Yola South, Girei, Mayo-Belwa, Song, and Zumo Districts as qualifiers for the Adamawa Emirate Council.

Traditionally, the title of Waziri Adamawa is the second-highest rank in the Adamawa Emirate, directly under the Lamido of Adamawa.

While the state government maintains that the revocation is purely administrative and in line with new policy guidelines, observers widely interpret the move as politically motivated, especially given the recent fallout between Governor Fintiri and Atiku Abubakar.

The two political figures, once allies under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) during the 2023 elections, have seen their relationship strain significantly. Atiku’s reported involvement in opposition alliance talks with Aishatu Binani, a former APC governorship candidate, has further fueled speculations of a deepening political rift.

As of press time, neither Atiku Abubakar nor the Adamawa Emirate Council has issued a formal response.