In a significant legislative move, the Adamawa State House of Assembly has passed a bill creating new emirates and first-class emirs in the state, signaling a transformative shift in the structure of traditional leadership. This comes days after Governor Ahmadu Fintiri assented to the District Creation Law 2024, establishing 83 new districts aimed at strengthening grassroots governance and addressing security concerns.
The newly passed Adamawa State Chiefs (Appointment and Deposition) Law 2024, currently awaiting the governor’s signature, empowers the state government to create additional emirates and rotate the chairmanship of the Adamawa Council of Chiefs among all first-class emirs annually. This development effectively strips the Lamido of Adamawa, Mustapha Barkindo, of his role as the permanent chairman of the council.
Lawmakers emphasized that the rotational chairmanship would ensure fairness, equity, and inclusive representation in the state’s traditional leadership hierarchy. The legislative process moved swiftly, with the bill receiving first and second readings on Monday, supported by motions from key assembly members, including Deputy Majority Leader Ahmed Rufai and other representatives. By Tuesday, the bill was unanimously passed into law.
The law also significantly diminishes the influence of the Lamido of Adamawa. The once-expansive Adamawa emirate, which spanned eight local government areas, has been reduced to just three—Girei, Jimeta, and Yola. Similarly, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the Waziri of Adamawa, will now wield authority only within the newly defined boundaries of the emirate.
Governor Fintiri has lauded the district creation and emirate reforms as essential steps to bolster governance, enhance security, and address the complexities of grassroots administration. However, the reforms have sparked mixed reactions, particularly among those aligned with the traditional leadership structures now impacted by the changes.
As the state awaits Governor Fintiri’s assent to the newly passed emirate law, many view this as a defining moment for Adamawa’s governance and cultural landscape. The governor is expected to unveil the new emirates in the coming days, setting the stage for a new era in the state’s traditional leadership.
This development underscores a broader shift toward decentralization and equitable representation, redefining the roles of age-old institutions in a rapidly evolving political landscape.
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