By Hajia Hadiza Mohammed
The news of the stripping of His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, our erstwhile vice-president (1999-2007) of his traditional title of Wazirin Adamawa, a title he deservedly earned in 2018, a year before Ahmadu Fintiri became the governor of Adamawa State, following the directive of the governor issued through a circular dated 19 June 2025 and signed by the permanent secretary of the department of Chieftaincy Affairs, Adama Felicity Mamman, came to many as a rude shock. Many observers believe and rightly too that purported stripping of the former Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) national leader of his well-deserved title through a retro-active piece of legislation was politically motivated and therefore was not done in good faith. Not even the explanation from the state government that the controversial regulation was not targeted at any one person could quell the suspicion of vendetta.
Although, Atiku Abubakar is from Jeda in Ganye Emirate Council but, the title was conferred on him by the Lamido Adamawa in the Adamawa Emirate Council in recognition of his personal accomplishments and numerous contributions to the Emirate Council. Before then, he was also the Turaki of Adamawa. Atiku Abubakar is not the only Nigeria who has taken traditional titles outside his own place or emirate council. It is normal for qualified people to receive titles from any traditional jurisdiction that wishes to confer that to them. The people that did this, are they saying that the Lamido Adamawa make a mistake in conferring the title to Atiku or that Atiku did not deserve it?
Clearly, stripping one of title is usually at the discretion of the conferrer but that should be in a case of gross misconduct which Atiku has not been accused of. Atiku Abubakar is a man of honor and enviable reputation who has touched the lives of the ordinary citizens in many positive ways through acts of philanthropy, employment, investment and advocacy. And who despite his wealth and influence still agitate for the good of the common man. Atiku is an uncommon statesman and a patriot who is not afraid to tell truth to power. And perhaps this is the cause of his travail.
This why I view the governor’s comment that: “the policy was not targeted at anyone, and no one has been removed from any office or title,” as an afterthought. According to the governor, as reported in the media, “Wazirin Adamawa is just a title, and no law makes the holder a kingmaker, a member of Adamawa Emirate Council or second in command to the Lamido.” To me this remark sounds sarcastic and mischievous. Yes, titles can be honorary or symbolic but stripping one the powers and appurtenances accruable to a title is equal to a down grade and therefore unacceptable.
As reported in the media also, an official of the council was quoted as saying that it was the former governor Mohammed Jibrilla who allowed the Lamido to violate the emirate’s existing convention as Atiku is not related to the Emirate by blood. This again sounds preposterous. Is the council official saying that it was not at the discretion of the Lamido to confer titles to those that deserve them? Or is it the duty of the governor to vet those on whom the traditional titles are to be given.
I see Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri’s role in the title stripping episode as ignoble. This is a case of not just disloyal but betrayal from a man who leaned on the support, influence and goodwill of Atiku to ride to political stardom. The governor misfired in his vain attempt to trade off Atiku for a position in the omnibus All Progressives Congress (APC). However, the action of stripping Atiku the title of Wazirin of Adamawa did not in any way diminish atiku’s stature politically or otherwise, rather, it is fetching him more solidarity as everyone is convinced that what happened was actually an act of political victimization. You can take away title but you cannot take away the honor, the prestige and the sterling attributes that attracted the conferment of the title. And Atiku Abubakar is still who he is: a man of honor, a great achiever, a bridge-builder, a patriot, a seasoned politician, an investor, a mentor, a philanthropist per excellence and lots more.
The action of the Adamawa State government under Umaru Fintiri and the Adamawa Emirate Council in this case is quite disagreeable. It is an affront on our traditional values. Yes, titles can be given and stripped based on issues of misconduct not out of politically-motivated retroactive legislation or regulation. This is a desecration of traditional title. And the traditional ruler has belittled his office and position by getting entangled in state politics. And governor Fintiri himself is displaying an act of ingratitude and politics of desperation; politics without principles.
As we watch the unfolding drama and the calculations for 2027, I join the millions of other Nigerians to queue behind Atiku Abubakar in solidarity. The title did not make Atiku what he is; Atiku has been whatever he is now before the title came. Rather it is Atiku that has added value, glamour and honor to the title of the Wazirin Adamawa.
Hajia Hadiza Mohammed
hajiahadizamohammed@gmail.com
An actress, social activist, politician
London, UK
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