The Adamawa State House of Assembly has passed a bill creating additional emirates with first-class emirs, while also removing the Lamido of Adamawa, Mustapha Barkindo, as the permanent chairman of the state’s Council of Chiefs.
The legislation, now awaiting Governor Ahmadu Fintiri’s approval, follows the governor’s earlier signing of the District Creation Law 2024, which established 83 new districts. On Monday, Governor Fintiri submitted the Adamawa State Chiefs (Appointment and Deposition) Bill to the Assembly, which grants the governor powers to create emirates and appoint or remove traditional rulers.
Speaker Bathiya Wesley referred the bill to the House Committee on Local Government Affairs, chaired by Kefas Calvin, for review. The committee presented its report on Tuesday, leading to the Assembly’s passage of the bill.
Under the new law, the chairmanship of the Adamawa Council of Chiefs will rotate annually among all first-class emirs and chiefs, replacing the previous arrangement where the Lamido of Adamawa served as permanent chair. Legislators stated that the rotational system was introduced to promote fairness and balanced representation.
The district restructuring significantly reduces the influence of the Lamido of Adamawa, limiting his control to three local government areas (LGAs)—Girei, Jimeta, and Yola—down from eight. The emirate previously included Hong, Song, Gombi, Fufore, Yola North, Yola South, and Mayo-Belwa in addition to the current three LGAs.
The Emir of Mubi, Abubakar Isa-Ahmadu, also sees his jurisdiction reduced, now covering Michika, Madagali, Mubi North, Mubi South, and Maiha LGAs.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who holds the title of Waziri in the Adamawa emirate, will now exercise his traditional authority only within Girei, Jimeta, and Yola under the new structure.
Governor Fintiri stated that the new district and emirate arrangements aim to improve governance and address security challenges at the grassroots level.
