2027: Governor Fintiri not losing grip of Adamawa politics – APC chieftain

An All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa state, Umar D. Duhu, has dismissed claims that Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri is losing control of the political structure in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement made available to newsmen Monday, Duhu described as “baseless and speculative” an article alleging that the governor’s political influence was waning following the emergence of a candidate from his new party.

The statement was in response to a circulating piece titled “Adamawa State in 2027: Another dark horse again?”, which suggested that developments within the APC did not align with the governor’s grassroots political ideology or his commitment to defending the interests of the people.

Refuting the claim, Duhu maintained that Governor Fintiri remains the “de facto and de jure political leader” of the state, insisting that his alignment with the APC was carried out in the overriding interest of Adamawa residents and to strengthen ties with the Federal Government.

He further stated that the emergence of the APC flagbearer, Tijjani Ahmed Galadima, followed due process in line with the party’s constitution and electoral guidelines, under the supervision of its National Working Committee.

According to Duhu, Galadima represents the governor’s grassroots philosophy and continuity agenda, particularly in infrastructure development, security, and human capital investment.

“The suggestion that the candidate does not align with the governor’s vision is an attempt to create a false narrative,” he said.

Duhu also reaffirmed the governor’s earlier pledge to defend the political rights of Adamawa people, noting that the administration remains committed to ensuring a level playing field and adherence to the Electoral Act 2022.

He stressed that the APC in the state is united under Fintiri’s leadership, with all party structures working towards victory in the 2027 elections and consolidation of developmental gains recorded over the past seven years.

The APC chieftain warned against what he described as “merchants of discord” and purveyors of fake news, accusing them of attempting to create a false impression of crisis within the party.

“Adamawa politics is dynamic and competitive, but it is not chaotic or rudderless,” Duhu said, adding that internal mechanisms exist within the party to address disagreements and ensure discipline.

He urged media practitioners, civil society groups, and political actors to avoid publishing what he termed “injurious and defamatory narratives” capable of inciting tension in the state.

Duhu concluded by calling for issue-based political engagement focused on policies, performance, and manifestos, rather than speculation and misinformation.

He also warned that further attempts to undermine the integrity of the governor or the APC without factual basis would attract appropriate legal and political responses.

“From the election of Governors Muhammadu Barde, Bamanga Tukur, Abubakar Saleh Michika, Atiku Abubakar, Boni Haruna, Mohammad Umar Jibrilla, to the re-election of Governor Fintiri in 2019 and 2023, the pattern is clear: Adamawa people vote for leaders with a track record of service delivery.

“The APC, under Governor Fintiri’s leadership, offers all three cardinal elements. We offer capacity through a tested leadership; performance through verifiable projects in roads, education, healthcare and security; and continuity through a candidate and manifesto that protects and extends this legacy. To suggest otherwise is to underestimate the political intelligence of the Adamawa electorate, which would be non sequitur.

“I therefore urge all stakeholders, media practitioners, civil society groups and political actors to desist from publishing injurious, defamatory and seditious narratives capable of heating the polity and causing a breach of public peace.

“Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution enjoins the press to uphold the responsibility and accountability of government to the people. That duty must be exercised bona fide and not as a tool for character assassination or political blackmail.

“Let us engage in issue-based politics. Let us debate policies, records, and manifestos inter se rather than resort to innuendo and speculation. Adamawa deserves politics of ideas, not politics of acrimony. Any further publication that seeks to impugn the integrity of the Governor or the APC without factual basis will be met with appropriate legal and political redress.”