Adamawa State Government has dismissed media reports claiming that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was removed as Wazirin Adamawa.
Recall that the state government had released a circular announcing that only persons from specific districts are eligible to serve as kingmakers and members of an emirate council.
The policy was interpreted by many media outfits as the removal of Mr Abubakar as the Wazirin Adamawa.
But addressing a press conference on Wednesday, state commissioner for information and strategy, Iliya James, said the new policy has not stripped any individual of their title.
He also clarified that recent activities and reforms within the traditional and chieftaincy affairs are not directed at any individual or group.
According to him, the reforms are part of a broader strategy to strengthen and modernise traditional institutions in alignment with constitutional roles and cultural preservation.
“It has come to the government’s attention that certain narratives in the public space suggest that recent decisions concerning chieftaincy matters are politically motivated or aimed at specific persons.
“We firmly refute these claims. The government remains committed to upholding transparency, fairness, and due process in all traditional and administrative matters,” the statement partly read.
It added that, “the letter written by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs is self-explanatory; even an elementary school student can read and understand.
“Why the letter announce the new reforms? The letter further states that people who were given titles under the current setup will continue to hold them; however, their kingmaker duties must be renounced so that the true indigenes of the local governments concerned can be selected as kingmakers”.
He stressed that Governor Umaru Fintiri has consistently emphasised the importance of preserving Adamawa’s rich cultural heritage while ensuring that traditional rulers operate within the framework of law and accountability.
Mr James further explained that ongoing legislative review seeks to improve coordination, resolve disputes, and promote unity within traditional institutions.
“The ongoing reviews are intended to improve coordination, resolve long-standing disputes, and promote unity within the traditional institutions, not to marginalise or punish any individual. In the current law under review, even a Yoruba or Igbo man can become a kingmaker or a council member in Adamawa State.
“Part of the current bill before the Adamawa State House of Assembly concerns the nomination of a substitute in the event of a chief’s illness, while the other concerns the makeup of kingmakers. Prior to this review, all the legislations that govern Adamawa State’s traditional institutions were outdated until the current administration took office.”
NAN
