Adamawa Gov. orders defected political appointees to resign within 48 hours

Adamawa State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, CON, has ordered all political appointees serving in his administration who have defected to, or publicly declared allegiance to, other political parties to resign their appointments within 48 hours.

The directive was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Humwashi Wonosoiku.

According to the statement, the governor said the measure had become necessary to preserve loyalty, discipline and the integrity of public service within the state government.

Fintiri noted that political office holders were appointed to support and advance the policies, programmes and political direction of the administration under which they serve.

He warned that continued service by appointees who have aligned themselves with rival political parties could undermine government operations and compromise the administration’s objectives.

“This directive has become necessary to preserve government loyalty, discipline and the integrity of public service,” the governor said.

“Political appointees are expected to uphold the policies, programmes and political direction of the administration under which they serve.

“Continued service by persons who have aligned with another party poses a clear risk of sabotage, information leakage and obstruction of policy implementation and party strategy.”

The governor directed all affected appointees to submit their letters of resignation to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government within 48 hours of the directive.

He further instructed the Office of the Secretary to the State Government and the Office of the Head of Service to compile, verify and submit a comprehensive list of all affected political appointees for compliance monitoring.

Fintiri warned that failure to comply within the stipulated period would result in immediate termination of appointment, cessation of salaries, entitlements and benefits, as well as further administrative action.

He stressed that public office is a trust that must be exercised in line with the vision, agenda and mandate of the administration.

“This is a clear message that public office is held in trust and must align with the vision, agenda and mandate of the administration. Government cannot condone divided loyalty in the discharge of public trust,” he stated.

The governor said the directive takes immediate effect.