Is Adamawa Governor-elect, Fintiri, ready?

The Adamawa state governor-elect, Ahmadu Umaru Fintri, became prominent and politically influential within just three months of coming to limelight in 2014. In fact, few weeks before Fintiri became the acting governor in 2014, if he was told he will become PDP’s governorship candidate in that year or in 2019, he would have laughed it […]

The Adamawa state governor-elect, Ahmadu Umaru Fintri, became prominent and politically influential within just three months of coming to limelight in 2014. In fact, few weeks before Fintiri became the acting governor in 2014, if he was told he will become PDP’s governorship candidate in that year or in 2019, he would have laughed it off. In a short time after coming to power, Fintiri changed the narrative of Adamawa infrastructure and civil service welfare. Even his staunch adversaries will attest to this.

Come May 29, Fintiri returns as Adamawa state governor – this time with more work and expectations on his shoulders. How he manages these will either further endear him to common people or make him a political misfit.

For Fintiri to run a successful government in Adamawa state, he must balance policies and politics. No governor in Adamawa state succeeds without understanding the balancing of development with playing smart politics.

Local government autonomy, education, civil service welfare and youth development are areas Fintiri needs to give utmost attention to. Outgoing governor Bindow’s failure in addressing issues relating to these areas cost him a second term.

Fintiri should resuscitate the Technical and Skills Acquisition Centers across the state. They should be redesigned and retooled for jobs and wealth creation. The centers should be redesigned as training places for agricultural entrepreneurship. This will go a long way in increasing human capital output that will speed up and sustain economic growth. This will also encourage youths, private sector and the rural poor to be strong participants in the economy.

Fintiri won his elections through some intricate politicking and alliances. He needs to define how he wants to be perceived politically. However, he faces a huge challenge in managing this because he is known for playing the politics of championing the cause of the minority- it was used against him 2014 at the ‘elite’ level and it worked. In 2019 it failed to work against him at the grassroots level. Fintiri needs to bury the perception forever and widen his network. He should work with the Hausa-Fulani oligarchy- the Kautal Pulaku, who controls nearly 85% of the state’s wealth and resources. This will help in improving his popularity across all classes of the society. Though, he cannot satisfy everybody; he can accommodate anybody.

By May 29, Fintiri will be up against high-wired politics of Adamawa and at the same time laden with expectations from the common man. Is he ready?

Zayyad I. Muhammad Jimeta, Adamawa State