‎Adamawa Emirate: Royal Family Descendants Defend Walin Adamawa, Dismiss Petition as Malicious, Misleading‎

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

‎Concerned members and descendants of the Adamawa Royal Family have strongly defended the Walin Adamawa, Alhaji Aminu Abdulkadir Mbamba, against allegations contained in a recent petition, describing the claims as false, malicious, and a calculated attempt to damage the reputation of a respected traditional title holder and businessman.
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‎In a statement signed by Prince Musa Aliyu Mustapha and other members of the royal family, the group rejected the allegations in their entirety, insisting that the Walin Adamawa’s record of service, integrity, and leadership remains unquestionable.

‎The statement described Alhaji Mbamba as a distinguished businessman who built a successful career in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector and rose to become National President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) through dedication, hard work, and exemplary leadership.
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‎According to the signatories, throughout his years in business and public service, the Walin Adamawa has maintained a reputation founded on professionalism, respect for the law, and commitment to public service.
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‎Addressing allegations relating to property ownership, the group maintained that the traditional title holder lawfully acquired his assets and challenged anyone with contrary evidence to present such claims before appropriate legal authorities rather than resorting to what they described as baseless public accusations.
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‎The statement further accused the petitioners of displaying a poor understanding of the history and traditions of the Adamawa Emirate Council.
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‎It noted that the office of the Walin Adamawa is a long-established traditional institution and that the current occupant is the fifth holder of the title, tracing its origins to the first Walin Adamawa, the late Lamido Aliyu Mustapha.
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‎The royal family members emphasized that the hierarchy within the Adamawa Emirate Council has long been recognized through tradition and administrative practice, with the Waziri, Galadima, and Wali occupying positions of seniority within the council structure.
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‎According to the statement, the arrangement of offices in the old Native Authority Council building reflected this hierarchy, with the Waziri and Galadima occupying offices on the upper floor while the Wali occupied the lower floor.
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‎The group also defended the appointment of the Walin Adamawa as a kingmaker, arguing that the authority to appoint and remove kingmakers has traditionally rested with the Lamido of Adamawa.
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‎They noted that previous Lamidos exercised similar powers, including the appointment of the Wakilin Adamawa and the Ardo Daware as kingmakers, maintaining that the current arrangement remains consistent with established customs and traditions of the Emirate.
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‎The statement linked the controversy surrounding the petition to recent administrative decisions within the Adamawa Emirate Council, particularly the replacement of the former Secretary of the Council.
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‎According to the signatories, the removal of the former secretary was an internal administrative matter carried out within the lawful authority of the Lamido and the Emirate Council.
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‎They stated that the decision was taken after confidence in the former official’s ability to effectively discharge his duties had diminished.
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‎The royal family members further cited historical records showing that previous holders of the office of Walin Adamawa played significant roles in judicial and land administration within the Emirate, describing the position as one of longstanding relevance and authority.
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‎They stressed that historical facts, established traditions, and documented customs remain the proper basis for determining hierarchy and authority within the Emirate rather than personal disagreements or contemporary political interests.
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‎Reaffirming their support for the Walin Adamawa, the group described him as a loyal and dedicated member of the Adamawa Emirate Council whose contributions to the development of Adamawa State and Nigeria remain widely acknowledged.
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‎They therefore urged members of the public to disregard the petition and what they termed unfounded allegations against the traditional ruler, while calling on the Adamawa Emirate Council to remain committed to preserving the dignity, integrity, and customs of the centuries-old institution.
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‎The statement concluded by expressing confidence in the leadership of the Emirate and its continued commitment to upholding tradition, justice, and the collective interests of the people of Adamawa.