Adamawa lawmakers give Fintiri power to appoint acting Emirs, Chiefs

The Adamawa State House of Assembly has approved a new law that allows Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri to appoint acting traditional rulers when an emir or chief is unable to perform his duties.

The amendment to the Chiefs’ Appointment and Deposition Law was passed during Thursday’s sitting after the report of an ad-hoc committee led by Deputy Speaker Mohammed Buba Jijiwa was presented.

The committee suggested renaming the law to reflect its new purpose: to guide the process of appointing acting emirs or chiefs whenever the substantive leader is incapacitated. It also recommended that the traditional council, together with the governor, can choose a prince or qualified person to temporarily take over the responsibilities.

According to the bill, the acting ruler will carry out all the duties of the substantive emir or chief until a government hospital confirms that the leader has recovered.

It further states that if an emir or chief misses official duties three times within a year due to poor health, the council and the governor may appoint someone to act in his place, in line with custom and Section 6 of the law.

“The person appointed shall take up all the duties and functions of the incapacitated emir or chief,” the committee stated.

After the committee’s report was adopted, Majority Leader Kate Raymond Mamuno pushed for the bill to be read a third time, and Hon. Haruna Jilantikiri seconded the motion. Speaker Bathiya Wesley then declared the bill passed and instructed the clerk to prepare it for the governor’s approval.

Explaining the importance of the law, Mamuno said contributions from the public hearing were included to make the legislation clear, consistent, and acceptable.

Adamawa lawmakers give Fintiri power to appoint acting Emirs, Chiefs