Following the appointment of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the new Waziri Adamawa by Lamido Adamawa, Dr Muhammadu Barkindo Mustapha, on June 1, 2017, kingmakers, district heads and council members in the Emirate Council paid homage to the new Waziri at his residence in Yola on June 3, 2017.
Until now, Atiku had been the Turaki Adamawa since 1982 when he was turbaned at the age of 36 by the immediate past Lamido, Alhaji Aliyu Mustapha.
The event, which was held at a newly constructed auditorium in Atiku’s residence, underscored the importance of the title and its place in the hierarchy of the traditional council. Waziri is the prime minister and the most senior councilor.
Atiku, who wore a colourful traditional attire to match his new office, looked fulfilled. He listened with keen interest when a titleholder briefed him on the significance of his new office and the role he is expected to play.
Introducing the crème de la crème of the Emirate Council before the new Waziri, an aide to Lamido, Jamilu Chokali, described the office as second only to that of Lamido. “There are council members, kingmakers and district heads, and you are the leader of all these groups,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the groups, the Galadima Adamawa, Alhaji Mustafa Aminu, congratulated Atiku for his elevation to the new office and pledged their loyalty to him as their new leader.
“Congratulations, and may God guide you and give you long life and good health to discharge this deserving responsibility. You are capable of holding this position because of your loyalty and concern for the development of the Emirate. Since independence, no citizen of the Emirate has shown more love and commitment to human development. You promoted Adamawa to the world. May Allah bless you and give you more health and long life to continue the good work,” Aminu said.
In his response, Atiku, sitting next to his son, Aliyu Atiku Abubakar, who succeeded him as Turaki Adamawa, thanked the Lamido for finding him worthy of such an important position. He promised to use the new office to foster unity among the people of Adamawa.
“I want to thank God for this day and to use this opportunity to thank the Lamido of Adamawa for giving me the position of Waziri, and that of Turaki to my son, Aliyu, who is the grandson of the late Lamido Aliyu Mustapha. I want to thank you for this visit to pay homage and celebrate with me so that we can unite and work together for the progress of the land and our people,” Atiku said.
He also thanked friends and well-wishers who felicitated with him over the new appointment, and called for support to enable him implement his vision for the Emirate and the state.
Atiku succeeded the former Waziri, Alhaji Mohammad Abba, who passed away in April.
Highlights of the occasion were the offering of special prayers and the presentation of the official vehicle plate number for his traditional office.
Present at the occasion were Atiku’s childhood friends and close political associates, Alhaji Muhammadu Koiranga Jada and Baba Kano Jada, as well as his close aides, including Umar Pariya, Abdullahi Nyako and Alhaji Jauro.
Atiku is the seventh person to hold the position in the history of the Emirate since the office was created by Lamido Sanda in 1873.
A veteran journalist and author of the biography of the late Lamido Aliyu Mustapha, titled, A Biography of Aliyu Musdafa, 11th Lamido of Adamawa, Yakubu Abdullahi Yakubu, said: “The first Waziri was Aliyu, the eldest son of Alkasum and nephew to the Lamido. Alkasum was a powerful member of Modibbo Adama’s cabinet. The Galadima used to be the leading member of Council. From history, the Waziri did not fight in the jihad campaigns. He performed only civil duties and acted for the Lamido in his absence, on his death or deposition.
“Aliyu served as Waziri from 1873 until his death in 1890. His brother, Abdulkadir Pate succeeded him as the second Waziri in 1891, appointed by Lamido Zubairu. He served up to 1924. The third Waziri was Mallum Hamman, who served through the reigns of three Laamibe, from 1924-1957.”
He added that following the death of Hamman, Lamido Aliyu Mustapha appointed Mahmud Ribadu, who was then a federal minister in 1957. He became the fourth Waziri, with Madaki Adamawa Bello Malabu, head of administration, acting in his stead.
When Mahmud Ribadu died as Minister of Defence in May 1965 in Lagos, Aliyu Mustapha appointed his cousin and former schoolmate, Muhammad Babba Lawan as the fifth Waziri. He served between 1968 and 2000 when he died. He was a maternal great-grandson of Lamido Zubairu and a paternal great-grandson of the first and second Waziri Adamawa. The office of Waziri remained vacant for 10 years after the demise of Babba Lawan.
The sixth Waziri Adamawa, Muhammad Abba Muhammad, who previously held the office of Wali Adamawa, was appointed by the present Lamido, Muhammadu Barkindo in 2010. He died in April 2017 at the age of 91 after serving the Adamawa Emirate Council for over 50 years. He was a grandson of the third Galadima Adamawa, Adamu Goni of the Alkasum family. He was married to Fadimatu Batulu, the eldest daughter of late Lamido Aliyu.
Atiku Abubakar, the seventh Waziri, was born in Jada 70 years ago, precisely on November 25, 1946. He attended the School of Hygiene, Kano for a diploma in Royal Society of Health and the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, for a diploma in Law in 1967, before he enlisted into the Nigerian Customs and Excise in 1969, where he served for 20 years and retired on the rank of deputy director in 1989.
Atiku joined politics in 1989 and became a close associate of the late General Shehu Musa Yar’adua. He became an influential figure in Nigerian politics and contested for governorship position in the state on the platform of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) in 1993.
In January 1999, Atiku won election as governor of Adamawa State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). A month later, he was elected as Nigeria’s vice president. He served two terms, between 1999 and 2007.
“The present Adamawa Emirate Council is made up of the Lamido, Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Musdafa as the chairman and chief executive. Members include Waziri Adamawa, Atiku Abubakar; Galadima Adamawa, Musdafa Aminu; Wali Adamawa, Muhammad Sanusi Barkindo; Wakili Adamawa, Hassan Adamu; Dan
Lawan Adamawa, Muhammadu Gambo Jimeta; Sardauna Adamawa, Ahmed Aliyu Musdafa; Dan Galadima, Lauwal Ahmadu Ribadu; Tafida Adamawa, Muhammadu Bamanga Tukur; Dan Buram Adamawa, Inuwa Muhammadu Mai; Makama Adamawa, Aliyu Muhammad Jabu; Chief Imam, Ahmadu Bobboi; Dallatu Adamawa, Abubakar Buba Madawaki, and the secretary.’’
