Adamawa governor charges newly elected council leaders on accountability
Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has warned the state’s 21 newly elected local government chairmen against absenteeism, corruption and poor service delivery, declaring that they must remain in their respective councils and bring governance closer to the people.
Speaking on Wednesday during the swearing-in ceremony of the chairmen in Yola, Fintiri said the era of local government officials operating from the state capital instead of their council headquarters was over.
“Under no circumstance should your people look for you and you are not there,” the governor said. “You are not elected to work in Yola. Except on extreme official assignments, I would not like to see your individual faces here.”
The governor also congratulated the 226 councillors elected alongside the chairmen and commended the people of Adamawa for their continued faith in the democratic process at the grassroots.
He praised the Adamawa State Independent Electoral Commission (ADSIEC) for conducting what he described as a credible election across the state’s 21 local government areas.
Fintiri said his administration had demonstrated an enduring commitment to grassroots democracy by successfully conducting four local government elections within seven years, describing the achievement as one many previous administrations and some states had failed to accomplish.
He reminded the newly sworn-in officials that taking the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office was not merely a ceremonial exercise but a solemn commitment to both the people and God.
According to him, the oath places a moral and constitutional responsibility on every public office holder to serve with integrity and remain accountable for every decision taken in office.
The governor urged the chairmen to see themselves as the face of government in their communities by implementing policies that directly improve the lives of rural residents.
He said local government chairmen must remain accessible to their people, engage regularly with traditional rulers and development area administrators, and work to strengthen public trust in government.
Fintiri stressed that governance was most meaningful when its impact reached the grassroots, adding that the councils must drive development in communities that had long been underserved.
He also emphasised the need for stronger collaboration among the various tiers of governance to ensure that government services reached every part of the state.
The governor warned the chairmen to adhere strictly to the principles of transparency and accountability in managing public funds.
He said citizens had become increasingly vigilant and would demand explanations for how public resources were spent.
“The people whom you just swore to serve today have not just become wiser but bolder,” he said. “They would follow their monies wherever it goes and demand accountability.”
Fintiri urged the council chairmen to prioritise prudent financial management, reject corrupt practices and ensure that every allocation intended for development was used for its intended purpose.
He concluded by congratulating the newly inaugurated officials and appealed to their families and associates to avoid placing undue pressure on them as they begin their tenure, saying they would need support and prayers to succeed in office.