Lately, there have been strident attempts especially using the social media to smear the reputation of Governor Ahmadu Fintiri and cast him in the mould of a religious bigot and a male chauvinist. This has gained traction particularly since the death of the Chairman of Fufore Local Government Council, Hon. Shaibu Babas on 23rd April, 2025. Some people claim that Governor Fintiri did not immediately swear-in the Fufore Local Government Vice-Chairman, Mrs. Peace Samson Audu to replace the deceased because she is a Christian or a Woman.

I concede that there may be some people that are genuinely concerned or sincerely ignorant of the issues. However, many of the vociferous commentaries are borne out of mischief, blackmail, provocation or attempts to ignite religious strife. This is reprehensible.
At a personal level, Senator Ishaku Abbo, for instance, called me on the issue but misrepresented our discussion in his jaundiced facebook post. Unfortunately.

Having closely worked with Fintiri for 6 years first as Head of Service and now his Chief of Staff, I am in a vintage position to state categorically that His Excellency is neither a religious bigot nor a male chauvinist. He is not influenced by religious or other parochial sentiments.
Although I am a Christian and His Excellency is a Moslem, he appointed me his Chief of Staff, a position that places me as one of his close confidants who clearly understand how his mind works.

It is noteworthy that most of the loudest voices on the Fufore issue are APC members and those that worked for Senator Aishatu Binani in the 2023 gubernatorial elections. They also did not vote for the Babas/Peace chairmanship ticket in Fufore. It is therefore not difficult to see through the veneer of lies and misrepresentations under the guise of supporting constitutionalism.
Ironically, in the build-up to the 2023 elections, many of these same people had painted Governor Fintiri as too pro-christian even though he is a moslem.

Under his leadership, Governor Fintiri has made inclusivity a cardinal philosophy of his administration. Every religious, ethnic or social interest is represented in his government. The choice of Mrs. Peace Audu, a Christian woman to be the running mate to Hon. Shaibu Babas, a Moslem man on the Fufore chairmanship joint ticket is an example of Fintiri’s deliberate inclusivity. The Governor could have supported a Moslem-Moslem chairmanship ticket in Fufore like he supported Christian-Christian tickets in places like Guyuk and Numan if he wanted.

Besides, Christians and Women have been chairmen in Fufore Local Government Council in the past, so if and when Mrs. Peace Audu is sworn-in, she would not be the first Christian or Woman to occupy the seat.
It is also instructive to state that as it stands now, Mrs Peace Audu is on the saddle as acting Chairman of Fufore Local Government Council, with all the powers, privileges and responsibilities of a Council Chairman. There is no vacuum.

When Mrs. Peace Audu was nominated and elected to be the Vice-Chairman of Fufore, everyone knew that Hon. Babas and all of us including her, are all mortal beings and can die at any time. That the Chairman died is God’s design and no one intends to play God; certainly not Governor Fintiri.

Also, the Nigerian constitution does not say anything about succession of a Local Government Chairman but empowers the State House of Assembly to make laws on Local Government Councils. Accordingly, the Adamawa State Local Government Establishment and Administration Law No. 4 of 2000 section 22 (1) said that ‘’the Vice-Chairman shall hold office of the Chairman if the office of the Chairman becomes vacant by reason of death, resignation or removal of office’’.

From this, it is clear that Mrs. Peace Audu would seamlessly assume the reigns of leadership as Chairman whether she is sworn-in or not, and the law is silent on the duration between death and swearing-in.
His Excellency, Governor Fintiri has fairly carried Christians and moslems along in appointments, empowerments, contracts, religious pilgrimages and so on without discrimination. Only mischief-makers would deny this.

Interestingly, Governor Fintiri’s Personal choice of running mate for his own election who is now the Deputy Governor, is a Christian and a Woman. Clearly, this is not the action of a bigot or chauvinist.

It is tragic that even morally-bankrupt characters, traitors and frustrated elements with no iota of piety will try to use religion for their dubious political objectives.
Governor Fintiri is above that.

Dr. Edgar is the Chief of Staff Govt. House Yola