To understand Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, one must first understand Adamawa, a state with a unique political history. Hardly any governor has successfully handed over power without a political uprising or major political crisis.
The history speaks for itself. Boni Haruna could not hand over power to Murtala Nyako because of a deep political crisis. Instead, his deputy, Senator Bello Tukur, handled the transition. Admiral Murtala Nyako, a former Naval Chief, was himself impeached in dramatic circumstances. Senator Muhammadu Umaru Jibrilla Bindow faced an internal APC rebellion, with political interests allegedly collaborating with the opposition to undermine his administration. In 2019, the handover to Governor Fintiri was carried out by his predecessor’s deputy, Engr. Martins Babale.
Adamawa State has rarely been forgiving to its incumbent governors. Its political climate has often consumed those in power.
It was against this turbulent background that Fintiri emerged.
Fintiri’s political journey is itself a story of political pitfalls and gallops. As Speaker of the Adamawa State House of Assembly, he was a young, assertive parliamentarian. Following the impeachment of Governor Murtala Nyako in July 2014, Fintiri became Acting Governor by constitutional provision. He held the reins of power for about three months, navigating a volatile political environment.
He contested the 2015 governorship election but lost. He returned in 2019 and defeated an incumbent governor, Senator Bindow. That victory was significant, coming against considerable odds and federal influence.
He repeated the feat in 2023, when Senator Aishatu Ahmed Binani gave him one of the toughest political contests of his career. The highly contested election proceeded to a supplementary poll, followed by a controversial declaration that tested the nation’s democratic process. Fintiri eventually retained the mandate, which many supporters considered a reflection of the people’s will.
If Adamawa is judged by physical transformation, Fintiri would rank highly. His eight years in office will be remembered for several achievements.
The bridges and roads governor
From Yola and Jimeta, the state’s administrative centres, to Mubi, Girei and Ganye, Fintiri embarked on road construction and rehabilitation projects across the 21 local government areas.
He also broke the perceived jinx of the absence of flyovers in Adamawa by embarking on major infrastructure projects. The first flyover in the state was constructed in Jimeta, followed by another at Mubi Roundabout. Several other bridges have also been constructed, easing traffic movement and improving the state’s urban landscape.
Healthcare and civil service reforms
His administration has constructed hospitals in some local government areas and renovated several general hospitals. More importantly, it has undertaken reforms in the civil service.
Fintiri addressed longstanding challenges associated with irregular salary payments by introducing regular payments, bonuses, Sallah welfare packages, 13th-month bonuses and the settlement of promotion arrears.
Civil servants who were previously demoralised have reportedly become more motivated. His administration has also cleared substantial backlogs of pension and gratuity payments running into billions of naira.
These interventions deserve recognition.
Mega projects and educational infrastructure
The ongoing construction of an International Conference Centre, modern shopping complexes and several school projects represents another significant aspect of Fintiri’s development agenda.
These projects are among the most ambitious infrastructure initiatives undertaken in the state’s history, dating back to its creation and the era of the defunct Gongola State.
The empowerment agenda
Fintiri’s empowerment programme, popularly known as the Wallet of Empowerment, runs into billions of naira. It covers business support for women and young people, assistance to small and medium-sized enterprises, and poverty alleviation initiatives targeting communities at the grassroots.
The cultural liberator
Perhaps one of Fintiri’s most daring political and historical decisions was the creation of new emirates and chiefdoms.
Through this policy, he dismantled longstanding traditional power structures that many minority ethnic nationalities considered instruments of subjugation under a dominant traditional institution.
For many of these communities, Fintiri is regarded as a hero who restored their traditional identity and gave them a greater sense of recognition and autonomy.
The political realignment: The biggest pitfall
But leadership is not just about projects. It is also about political alliances. And here lies Fintiri’s most controversial political gamble.
Fintiri dumped the PDP, the party that gave him the platform, political support and opportunities that helped establish him as a prominent national politician. It was the party that gave him its governorship ticket in 2019 and 2023.
More painful to many of his former political allies is his separation from people such as former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who stood by him when he needed political support most.
Atiku was a major political pillar behind Fintiri during the Binani electoral crisis. Today, Atiku is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), while Fintiri has openly endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
For many people in Adamawa, particularly Atiku’s loyalists, the endorsement is seen as an affront and a political betrayal.
The question being asked in tea joints from Yola to Mubi is simple: Why can’t Fintiri stand with Atiku at a time when the former vice-president needs his support most?
His decision to align with the ruling APC has also strained relationships with several political figures within the state. Chief Maurice Vunobolki and others are now challenging him politically, with the battle for control of the state’s political structure becoming increasingly intense.
The 2027 hurdle: can he hand over successfully?
Fintiri’s ambition to become a senator representing Adamawa North Senatorial District presents another major political challenge. The senatorial contest is expected to be fiercely competitive.
Parties such as the ADC, PDP and Labour Party (LP) remain politically active and are positioning themselves to challenge his influence.
A fresh political whirlwind could engulf Adamawa, with Fintiri potentially at its centre. History suggests that if the voting pattern follows previous trends, the opposition could emerge victorious.
Adamawa is a state where almost anything can happen. Its political dynamics, intrigues and manoeuvres make electoral outcomes difficult to predict.
The advantages he holds
Nevertheless, Fintiri enjoys advantages that could strengthen his political position:
- He is the incumbent governor.
- He is now aligned with the ruling party at the centre, the APC.
- He has considerable influence over the state’s political structure.
- He has tangible development projects and achievements to campaign with.
There are expectations that the APC could win the 2027 election because of its control of the federal government and the advantages that come with it.
But in Adamawa, federal influence failed to deliver victory for the ruling party in 2019. It also failed in 2023.
Will 2027 be different?
Fintiri’s recent 59th birthday celebration has also enhanced his political visibility. Leaders from across the country, including former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, attended the event. Osinbajo reportedly spoke highly of Fintiri’s leadership and developmental strides.
However, what I found particularly remarkable was the foundation he unveiled to support the less privileged and vulnerable members of society. It is an initiative I hold in high regard. I hope it will outlive him and serve generations yet unborn.
All eyes on Adamawa
In 2027, all eyes will be on Adamawa State. It will be a battle between two political ambitions: Fintiri has vowed to ensure Tinubu’s re-election, while Atiku has vowed to win the presidential election against all odds, particularly in Adamawa, his home state.
Can Fintiri break the jinx and successfully hand over power to his preferred successor? Can he navigate the political pitfalls created by his departure from the PDP, overcome the consequences of his political break with Atiku, and gallop across the bridges he has built?
If he succeeds, he will become one of the few governors in the state’s recent political history to complete two terms and successfully hand over power on his own terms.
If he fails, he could join the list of governors consumed by Adamawa’s unpredictable political furnace.
The next four months will be decisive.
Tom Garba, ANIPR, SPSP, is a policy, political and crisis analyst. He writes from Jimeta, Adamawa State.
