Traditional Council Reform: No one is the Target, says Adamawa govt

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

The new policy by the government requires all kingmakers and traditional council members to be indigenes of the emirates or chiefdoms they represent.

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

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

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 modernize 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 emphasized 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 marginalize or punish any individual.

“In the current Law under review, even a Yoruba or Ibo man can become a king maker or a council member in Adamawa State.” He stated.

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.

The Commissioner said that prior to this review, all the legislations that govern Adamawa State’s traditional institutions were outdated until the current administration took office.

“We all recall the vacuum left when the late Murum Mbula became ill and went to seek medical treatment abroad. ”

“The council of chiefs had to use an authority they lacked to designate his younger brother as a placeholder until the king returned, which threw the entire chiefdom into disorder.  The crisis was resolved only after the State Government’s timely intervention.

“This is also part of the state government’s decision to pursue a statute to regulate the chiefdom if necessary,” he stated.