By Abdulaziz Abubakar Damare
Adamawa State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, CON, has sworn in the 21 newly elected Local Government Council Chairmen, charging them to reside in their respective local government areas, shun corruption, and remain accountable to the people.
Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony held on Wednesday in Yola, Governor Fintiri also congratulated the 226 elected councillors and the people of Adamawa State for their continued faith in grassroots democracy.
The governor commended the Adamawa State Independent Electoral Commission (ADSIEC) for conducting what he described as a credible election across the state’s 21 local government councils. He noted that his administration had successfully conducted four peaceful local government elections within seven years, describing the achievement as a milestone many states and previous administrations had failed to attain.
Fintiri reminded the newly sworn-in officials that the oath of office was a solemn covenant with both the people and God, stressing that they would one day account for how they discharged their responsibilities.
He urged the chairmen to become true representatives of government at the grassroots by making themselves accessible to their communities, working closely with traditional rulers and Development Area Administrators, and ensuring that government policies translate into meaningful development for rural residents.
The governor issued a stern warning against absentee leadership, declaring that local government chairmen were elected to serve their people in their respective councils—not to operate from Yola.
“I would not like to see your individual faces here except on extreme official assignments,” he said, insisting that the era of absenteeism in local government administration was over.
Governor Fintiri also emphasized transparency, accountability, and prudent management of public funds, warning that citizens were now more informed and would demand explanations on how public resources were spent.
He urged the council chairmen to reject corruption, prioritize development projects, and remain faithful to the trust reposed in them by the electorate.
Speaking on behalf of the 21 newly sworn-in Local Government Council Chairmen of Adamawa State, the Executive Chairman of Yola North Local Government Council, Hon. Jibril I. Jimeta, has pledged that the new council leadership will operate transparent, inclusive, and people-oriented administrations aimed at improving the lives of citizens across the state.
Delivering the vote of thanks at the swearing-in ceremony on Wednesday, Hon. Jimeta expressed profound appreciation to Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri for providing an enabling environment for what he described as a free and fair local government election, which produced the newly elected chairmen.
Hon. Jimeta, on behalf of his colleagues, also thanked the people of Adamawa State for the confidence reposed in them through their votes and assured that the mandate would be justified by bringing the dividends of democracy closer to the grassroots. He reaffirmed the commitment of all the council chairmen to accountable and inclusive governance while calling on citizens to support their administrations over the next three years. He also commended Governor Fintiri’s leadership and developmental strides, describing him as a visionary leader whose contributions have transformed Adamawa State.
