BREAKING: Atiku Abubakar Stripped of Waziri Adamawa Title

The Adamawa State Government has withdrawn the prestigious traditional title of Waziri Adamawa from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. The decision, announced on Tuesday, was based on newly introduced guidelines requiring all traditional titleholders and council members to be indigenes of their respective chiefdoms.

This policy shift was communicated via a circular issued by the Permanent Secretary of the Chieftaincy Affairs Department and forms part of wider reforms aimed at restructuring traditional institutions across the state. Atiku, who hails from Jada in the Ganye Chiefdom, was deemed ineligible under the updated rules affecting the Adamawa Emirate Council based in Yola.

Atiku had held the Waziri Adamawa title for over a decade, a position regarded as one of the most powerful and respected within the emirate, second only to the Lamido of Adamawa. The revocation comes amid increasing political tensions in the state, with many observers interpreting the move as politically motivated given Atiku’s prominent national role and frequent criticisms of both state and federal administrations.

The decision has sparked significant debate across political and cultural circles. Several other notable individuals have also been affected by the policy, including holders of titles such as Walin Adamawa, Sarkin Yaki, and Jakadan Fombina, who are reportedly no longer recognized under the new indigene rule.

While government officials maintain that the reforms are intended to protect traditional values and ensure administrative clarity, critics argue that the action appears targeted and divisive. Some see it as a calculated effort to diminish Atiku’s influence within his home state, especially ahead of potential political campaigns.

Although the state government has not made a direct statement addressing Atiku’s removal, reactions have begun to pour in from various quarters. Supporters of the former Vice President describe the development as a humiliation and an affront to his long-standing contributions to the emirate and the nation.

Atiku is yet to respond publicly to the decision, and it remains unclear whether he will challenge the withdrawal or accept it as part of broader political dynamics in Adamawa. Nonetheless, many believe that the action is unlikely to significantly diminish his stature among his supporters or in Nigeria’s political landscape.

The withdrawal of Atiku’s title highlights growing tensions at the intersection of politics, tradition, and identity in northern Nigeria, raising questions about the neutrality of traditional institutions in a highly polarized environment.