Speaking on Saturday during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House in Yola, the governor dismissed widespread speculation suggesting he was backing a preferred aspirant for the state’s top job.
Fintiri emphasized that leadership in a democratic system cannot be imposed, insisting that only the electorate has the authority to determine who emerges as governor.
“The power to choose leaders belongs to the people. No individual has the right to decide for them,” he stated.
Reaffirming his commitment to neutrality, the governor urged all aspirants to take their campaigns to the grassroots and earn support through genuine engagement with voters rather than relying on political endorsements.
He further assured members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), especially those eyeing the governorship seat, that the political space would remain open and fair to all contenders.
Fintiri’s remarks appear to calm tensions among party aspirants who had grown uneasy following his defection to the APC in February—a move that positioned him as a key figure within the party’s structure in Adamawa State.
Before his clarification, speculation had intensified over alleged attempts by the governor to influence the emergence of his successor. His latest statement, however, signals a hands-off approach as the 2027 race gradually takes shape.
