By OBSERVERS TIMES
Former Senator Ishaku Abbo has ignited a controversy, accusing Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of deliberately obstructing Mrs. Peace Audu, a Christian, from assuming the chairmanship of Fofure Local Government Area, following the death of the previous chairman.
Abbo alleges that Fintiri’s actions are a calculated political maneuver, violating the Nigerian Constitution and undermining democratic principles. He contends that the governor’s refusal to swear in Mrs. Audu is an abuse of office and a blatant disregard for the will of the Adamawa electorate.
“Fintiri is prosecuting Christians in Adamawa. The Muslims are quiet, but one day the Muslims too will become victims of the seed of evil the governor is planting now,” Abbo asserted in an exclusive interview with Arewa PUNCH.
He drew a contrast with the swift succession of a Muslim vice-chairman in Numan Local Government Area after the chairman’s death, and the seamless transition of power following the death of President Musa Yar’Adua. “Fintiri is planting a bomb against our democracy in Adamawa State,” Abbo warned.
Abbo directly accused Fintiri of religious bias, stating that the governor’s decision to deny Mrs. Audu, a Catholic, her rightful position is a deliberate act of persecution against Christians, and is setting the stage for religious disharmony within the state. “As a governor, he can get away with the evil seed, but I promise the people of Adamawa State the generation yet unborn will suffer from this evil seed when it germinates,” he said.
The former senator further attributed his departure from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to Fintiri’s “undemocratic activities.” He criticized the governor’s alleged practice of using public funds to secure nomination forms for favored candidates in all 21 local governments, effectively stifling competition. “How can a governor use taxpayers’ money and buy nomination forms for his anointed candidates in the 21 local governments, denying others from contesting? Do you call this democracy?” Abbo questioned.
Attempts to obtain a response from Governor Fintiri’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Wonosikou Humwashi, through phone calls and WhatsApp messages, were unsuccessful at the time of publication.
