Adamawa chieftaincy bill passes second reading, lawmakers set up review c’ttee

A bill seeking to amend the Adamawa State Chiefs (Appointment and Deposition) Law 2024 has passed second reading in the state House of Assembly. 

The governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, had asked the Assembly to amend the law in a letter addressed to the speaker, dated June 11, 2025. 

The amendment, among others, requires all kingmakers and traditional council members to be indigenes of the emirates or chiefdoms they represent. 

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There have been concerns that former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar may lose his Waziri Adamawa title as a result of the policy. 

In 2017, Alhaji Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Mustapha, the Lamido of Adamawa, conferred the revered title on Atiku, a native of Jada in Ganye chiefdom. 

Mr Bernard Hyallamada, the Chief Press Secretary to the Assembly, said on Wednesday that the bill was passed for second reading on June 24, 2025. 

He said the legislative body has constituted a committee to conduct further scrutiny and gather public input on the proposed legislation. 

He said the review committee is chaired by Deputy Speaker, Mohammed Buba Jijiya and is comprised of a member from Yola North and five other members. 

Hyallamada said the committee has been mandated to invite all relevant stakeholders to participate in a public hearing to ensure comprehensive engagement and to solicit broad perspectives from traditional rulers, community leaders, legal experts, and the general public.

“The committee is expected to deliberate on the feedback received and present its report back to the House within a timeframe of two weeks,” he added. 

‘No one is the target’ 

The Adamawa State government has said the Traditional and Chieftaincy Affairs policy is not targeted at any individual or group. 

Speaking when he appeared before the Adamawa State House of Assembly, James Iliya, Commissioner for Information, said the reforms, which brought about the policy, were part of efforts 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 Adamawa State government wishes to categorically clarify that recent activities and reforms within the Traditional and Chieftaincy Affairs sector are not directed at any individual or group,” he said. 

He reiterated that Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri had consistently emphasised the importance of preserving Adamawa’s rich cultural heritage while ensuring that traditional rulers operate within the framework of law and accountability. 

Iliya said the ongoing reviews were 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 Ibo man can become a kingmaker or a council member in Adamawa State,” he said. 

He noted that 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.