Governor Fintiri Under Fire for Allegedly Blocking Female Vice Chair’s Succession

Governor Fintiri Under Fire for Allegedly Blocking Female Vice Chair’s Succession

For over two weeks, people in the Fufore Local Government Area have mourned the sudden death of their chairman, Hon. Shaibu Babas. Still, now, attention has turned to something deeper than grief — a brewing storm of injustice, political manipulation, and possible discrimination as described by so many citizens.

In a passionate Facebook Live session that has stirred up political tension across Adamawa State, a woman politician, Hon. Dr. Mrs. Patience Ishaku Abbo launched a blistering attack on the state government over what she called “injustice and impunity” following the death of the chairman of Fufore Local Government.

The live broadcast, watched by viewers across Nigeria and streamed from Abuja, quickly turned into a scathing exposé, accusing Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri and the Adamawa State House of Assembly of sidelining the Vice Chairperson, Mrs. Peace Samson Audu, from legally assuming the position of Chairman.

Patience Abbo, who identified herself as an advocate of good governance, did not hold back her emotions. She began by expressing condolences to the people of Fufore and the family of the late Hon. Babas, and described him as “a fantastic man” she respected dearly.

But it didn’t take long for condolences to give way to frustration.

She said without a script, “I don’t sugarcoat my truth. I say it the way it is. So if what I say doesn’t sit well with you, I make no apology. This is my truth.”

Her main grievance was simple: why hasn’t the Vice Chairperson, Mrs. Peace, been sworn in as the new Chairperson?

Abbo cited sections of the Nigerian Constitution, starting from the presidency to the governorship, and compared them to local government processes. She reminded viewers that when President Yar’Adua passed away, Goodluck Jonathan was sworn in immediately. The same happened at the state level during the Ondo State succession crisis. She argued that state laws generally follow the same logic—that the Vice Chairperson should take over when a Chairman dies.

Then came the core of her claim: “There’s no legal excuse for not swearing in Mrs. Peace. The refusal is either because she’s a woman or because she’s a Christian. If it was a man, he would have been sworn in within 24 hours.”

She went further to accuse the Governor of offering Mrs. Peace “compensation” instead of her rightful position. “This is dictatorship disguised as democracy,” she said. “Governor Fintiri is playing religion and politics with the people.”

Abbo stressed that she respects both Islam and Christianity equally, even claiming she studied the Qur’an to understand Islamic teachings better. She was adamant that her criticism had nothing to do with religion but with fairness, gender equity, and justice.

“This is not about religion. This is about fairness,” she said, slamming what she described as the Governor’s “political games.”

Also READ: Women Group Demands Justice as Peace Samson Faces Swearing-in Delay

The emotional speaker also admitted she didn’t vote for the Governor in 2023. Still, she said, “You are my Governor. When you do well, I will applaud you. When you do badly, I will call you out. And this is me calling you out.”

She recalled how she once campaigned for Fintiri based on promises made to the people in 2019. “You promised us light, a school of health, and a Saro market. None was delivered before the 2023 elections,” she said.

Patience Abbo didn’t stop accusing the Governor of religious bias. She said his earlier appointments of women, such as Senator Aishatu Binani and former Deputy Governor Kaletapwa Farauta, were “politically motivated” moves aimed at masking his true stance on women’s leadership.

“You think we don’t know your games? We know,” she said, clearly agitated. “You don’t care about women’s inclusion. It’s a big lie. This isn’t leadership; this is dictatorship.”

She ended the broadcast by declaring that the people of Adamawa are no longer fooled by political stunts. “You can’t keep playing with our democracy. Enough is enough.”

The video has since gone viral, prompting heated debates online and offline. Some praised her for boldly speaking out. Others criticized her for dragging religion and gender into a political dispute.

However, one thing is clear: her message hit a nerve.

Whether the state government will respond formally remains to be seen. But the pressure is mounting, and it’s now a matter of law, ethics, and public accountability.

Fintiri’s Chief of Staff Slams Religious Bigotry Claims

In a strongly worded statement to counter those standing by “the truth,” released at 11:45 AM WAT, Hon. Dr. Sunday, the Chief of Staff to Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, came out swinging in defense of the governor’s reputation. Dr. Sunday has worked side by side with Fintiri for six years—first as Head of Service and now as Chief of Staff. He made it clear that Fintiri is neither a religious bigot nor a man who looks down on women.

“I am in a vintage position to state categorically that His Excellency is neither a religious bigot nor a male chauvinist,” Dr. Sunday said firmly. “He is not influenced by religious or parochial sentiments.”

Sunday is a Christian serving under a Muslim governor. He believes that alone is enough proof that religion doesn’t dictate Fintiri’s choices. He said his appointment places him close to Fintiri’s daily decisions, which means he knows the truth behind the governor’s actions.

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The whole controversy began after the sudden death of Fufore Local Government Chairman, Hon. Babas. Critics began attacking Fintiri for not immediately swearing in Mrs. Peace Audu—the Christian woman elected alongside Babas as Vice Chairman. Some accused Fintiri of religious bias, even though these same people previously claimed he favored Christians too much during the 2023 elections.

Dr. Sunday didn’t mince words. He said that while some concerns might be genuine, most of the noise is from political enemies—particularly from APC members and loyalists of Senator Aishatu “Binani” Dahiru. “These same individuals did not vote for the Babas/Peace ticket in Fufore,” he noted, “and now hide behind constitutionalism to peddle lies.”

He went further, accusing Senator Ishaku Abbo of misrepresenting a private chat with him on Facebook. According to Sunday, Abbo’s post was misleading and only helped to fuel more hate and misinformation.

Sunday reminded everyone that Fintiri had many chances to support Muslim-only tickets, including in Fufore, but he didn’t. Instead, Fintiri picked a Christian woman, Mrs. Peace Audu, as Babas’ deputy. He made similar inclusive choices in other areas like Guyuk and Numan where he backed Christian-Christian tickets.

“If he wanted, he could have backed a Muslim-Muslim ticket in Fufore,” Sunday pointed out. “But he didn’t.”

He added that Christians and women had led Fufore before, so the current outcry was just another round of baseless noise. Legally, Sunday said, there’s no problem either. Mrs. Audu is already functioning with full powers as acting chairman under the Adamawa State Local Government Establishment and Administration Law No. 4 of 2000, Section 22(1).

“The law is clear. There is no vacuum. Mrs. Audu is on the saddle with all the powers and privileges of the office,” he stated.

Sunday then used the moment to praise Fintiri’s larger record. He reminded people that Fintiri’s Deputy Governor is also a Christian woman—Professor Kaletapwa George Farauta—and that choice was personal, not forced. He listed several areas—appointments, contracts, empowerment programs, and even religious pilgrimages—where Fintiri had treated Christians and Muslims, men and women, equally.

“Only mischief-makers would deny this,” Sunday declared.

He didn’t hold back as he described those attacking Fintiri as “morally-bankrupt characters” and “frustrated elements” playing the religion card for cheap political gain. “Governor Fintiri is above that,” he said. “People should look beyond the lies and see the truth.”

As the debate over who leads Fufore continues, this explosive response from Dr. Sunday may help calm things down—or stir them up even more. But one thing is clear: the Fintiri camp is not backing down.

The Constitution

Nigeria’s Constitution does not specifically address the succession of local government chairmen in the case of death. That power lies with the individual state laws, not the federal constitution. This is where it gets tricky—and political.

However, here’s what the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) says that’s broadly relevant:

1. Local Government Autonomy is under State Control

• Section 7(1): The Constitution guarantees the existence of local government councils “under a law which provides for the establishment, structure, composition, finance and functions of such councils.”
• Translation: Each state assembly can make laws for how local governments run—including what happens if a chairman dies.

2. No Specific Federal Rule on Vice-Chairman Succession

• There’s no clear federal constitutional provision mandating that a vice-chairman must automatically succeed the chairman in case of death. That’s left to state-level laws like the Adamawa State Local Government Establishment and Administration Law No. 4 of 2000.

3. Adamawa State Law Says This:

From what Dr. Sunday quoted and based on state-level precedent:

• Section 22(1) of the Adamawa State Local Government Law: “Where a vacancy occurs in the office of the chairman, the vice-chairman shall perform the functions of the chairman.”
• There’s no deadline or ceremonial process required before the vice-chairman starts acting.

4. Swearing-in is Administrative, Not Legal Prerequisite

• In most states, including Adamawa, once the vice-chairman assumes office due to vacancy (death, impeachment, or resignation), the law automatically empowers them to act. Swearing-in is often done for ceremonial or political validation but isn’t a legal blocker.

5. No Vacuum Allowed

Nigerian political doctrine doesn’t tolerate a “vacuum” in leadership. If the vice-chairman is present, he or she must step in immediately to keep governance flowing.

Bottom Line:

The Nigerian Constitution gives state governments the right to make local government laws. In Adamawa’s case, the state law is very clear: Peace Audu, as vice-chairman, should automatically assume the role of acting chairman. No religious, gender, or political sentiment should interfere.