Adamawa Assembly dismisses Lamido, expands emirates
The Adamawa State House of Assembly has passed a bill to establish additional emirates, each with first-class emirs.
The bill is now awaiting the assent of Governor Ahmadu Fintiri. This development comes shortly after the governor signed the state’s District Creation Law 2024 on December 4, which created 83 new districts.
In a letter to the lawmakers on Monday, Governor Fintiri requested the passage of a bill that would address the appointment and deposition of chiefs in Adamawa State, along with related matters.
The newly passed bill grants the governor the authority to create additional emirates and appoint or depose traditional rulers. The bill went through its first and second readings at the Adamawa State House of Assembly on Monday, following motions by Deputy Majority Leader Ahmed Rufai (Maiha LGA), Moses Zah (Michika LGA), and Bauna Myandassa (Lamurde LGA).
Speaker Bathiya Wesley referred the bill to the House Committee on Local Government Affairs for further action, instructing them to submit their report on the next legislative day. The committee, led by Kefas Calvin, with Godfrey Bulus as deputy and Grace Kurkuwa as clerk, worked on the bill, which was passed into law the following day.
Once the governor assents to the bill, the creation of new emirates will be announced. The law also removes Lamido of Adamawa, Mustapha Barkindo, from his position as the permanent chairman of the Adamawa Council of Chiefs.
The new law establishes a rotational chairmanship among the first-class emirs and chiefs, with the seat rotating annually, aimed at ensuring fairness, equity, and improved representation in traditional leadership.
The passage of the bill follows the governor’s signing of the state’s District Creation Law 2024 on December 4. This law was designed to enhance governance and tackle security challenges at the grassroots level. It reduces the influence of the Lamido of Adamawa by cutting the number of local government areas under his control from eight to three, leaving him with Girei, Jimeta, and Yola.
Similarly, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the Waziri, will now only hold authority over Girei, Jimeta, and Yola, diminishing his previous influence in the broader Adamawa emirate.
The District Creation Law also reduces the power of the Emir of Mubi, Abubakar Isa-Ahmadu, as it now limits his authority to Michika, Madagali, Mubi North, Mubi South, and Maiha.
Proofreading by Uchechi Ojo, Sub-editor at NeptunePrime.
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