Editorial: Adamawa 2027: don’t vote for leaders whose phones are not accessible

As Adamawa moves towards the 2027 governorship election, voters would do well to apply a straightforward, revealing test to those seeking power: can they be reached?

This is not a trivial question. Accessibility sits at the heart of democratic leadership. It is the clearest early signal of whether a candidate understands public office as a relationship grounded in communication and accountability, or merely as a prize to be won.

In this regard, the example of the incumbent, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, is instructive. Those who have tried to contact him say his phone rings when called. It is a small detail, but it speaks to a broader principle  that those in authority should not be insulated from the people they serve.

Against that benchmark, the conduct of many would-be successors is difficult to defend. Too often, prospective candidates appear unreachable. Their phone lines are unavailable, switched off, or configured to block unknown callers. Yet these same figures are asking voters to entrust them with the highest office in the state.

The contradiction is stark. If a candidate cannot be contacted at a moment when they are actively seeking public support, what confidence can there be that they will become more accessible once in power? Experience suggests the opposite: inaccessibility during campaigns frequently hardens into detachment in office.

Voters should not dismiss this as a minor failing. When communication channels are closed, accountability weakens. Leadership becomes distant, insulated and unresponsive  and the essential bond between leaders and citizens begins to fray.

None of this implies that a governor must personally answer every call. Modern governance requires structure, delegation and order. But there must be credible, functioning means through which citizens can reach those who seek to represent them. A permanently unreachable candidate is not merely disorganised; they are signalling a disregard for public engagement.

As the campaign season gathers pace, Adamawa’s electorate should insist on this minimum democratic standard. Accessibility is not an optional extra. It is a test of intent.

If they will not take your call now, they are unlikely to listen later.