YOLA— Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has described the 2023 gubernatorial election in the state as one of the most dangerous assaults on Nigeria’s democracy, revealing that the electoral battle exposed treachery, moral compromise, and desperate opportunism among the political elite.
Speaking at the unveiling and public presentation of a book titled “Fintiri: The Man They Could Not Stop,” written by veteran journalist Solomon Kumangar, the governor reflected on what he called an orchestrated attempt to undermine the will of Adamawa people through electoral manipulation.
“In 2023, we saw treachery. We saw assault. We saw moral compromise of a bankrupt elite masked as patriots,” Governor Fintiri told a gathering of dignitaries at the event chaired by Governor Ahmadu Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State.
He added that the election, while representing the height of attempts to stop his political journey, ultimately revealed the resilience of true Adamawa citizens and supporters beyond state boundaries.
The governor, who confessed he had not read the book despite his name and face appearing on the cover, endorsed author Solomon Kumangar’s journalistic account while acknowledging its limitations.
“This is Solo’s book. If anybody has a different version to this narrative, as most authors will say, they’re at liberty to write their own,” Fintiri remarked, using the familiar nickname for Kumangar, whom he has known for nearly 50 years.
He described Kumangar, who served as his Director General of Media and Publicity, as possessing genius and skill in writing, though he cautioned that the author’s pen could be “caustic and venomous” when necessary.
The book focuses heavily on the controversial 2023 Adamawa gubernatorial election, which saw dramatic scenes when suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner Hudu Yunusa-Ari illegally declared the APC candidate, Senator Aishatu Dahiru Binani, as winner before collation was completed—a move swiftly nullified by the national headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Governor Fintiri eventually secured victory with approximately 431,000 votes, defeating Binani, who garnered about 399,000 votes.
While commending Kumangar for making a “pioneer default” contribution to future narratives on his administration’s formative years, Governor Fintiri hinted that the story was far from complete.
“There is so much about 2023 I hope to come up with a full disclosure in my memoir in the fullness of time. The story has just begun,” he said.
The governor maintained that attempts to stop him predated the 2023 election, describing himself as “a man of destiny” who had faced numerous subtle efforts to derail his political career.
“If 2023 had not happened, we wouldn’t have known some people for who they are—dangerous, greedy, opportunistic and desperate, yet crying victim and still claiming democratic credentials they are distant from,” he stated.
Governor Fintiri warned that individuals responsible for what he termed “electoral banditry” were still active, moving between Yola and Abuja while posing threats to Nigeria’s democratic process.
“Nigeria must not wait for our justice system to deal with them. We must, as we did in 2023, resist them with our voices and unmask them to the world,” he declared.
In his keynote address, former Senate President and Kwara State Governor, Senator Bukola Saraki, described the book as a critical documentation of leadership that places people above power.
Saraki, who spoke on protecting electoral sanctity in Nigeria, said the writing of the book was not an exercise in comfort but an act of faith in truth, history, and the enduring value of leadership.
“This book, ‘Fintiri: The Man They Could Not Stop,’ did not begin as an idea in search of expression. It began as a responsibility and obligation to history,” Saraki stated.
He emphasized that the book rejected flattery and embraced evidence, noting that Governor Fintiri required no chorus of praise as his record stood as a more exacting witness.
“This book does not seek to appropriate him, for by his own conduct and conviction, he belongs to all and belongs to none. He is not the property of tribe, party or personality. He is a public trust mandated by the people, shaped by their aspirations and sustained by their consent,” the former Senate President said.
Saraki introduced what he termed “Huduism” as a cautionary framework, describing it as the anatomy of coordinated attempts at electoral subversion.
“It is a reminder that democracy can be undermined not only by force but by confusion, not only by violence but by silence, not only by arms but by compromised institutions,” he explained.
The former Senate President called for sustained vigilance to protect democracy, emphasizing that equity and liberty require constant work and that the collective will of the people remains the ultimate authority in democracy.
In his remarks, author Solomon Kumangar said the book was born out of a sense of responsibility and obligation to history, speaking not as a distant observer but as someone who has known the governor closely.
“I speak not as a distant observer, nor as a casual commentator, but as one who has known the governor closely, who worked with him in service, both as Permanent Secretary and Director General of Media and Communications, and who shares with him a common kindred origin,” Kumangar said.
He emphasized that such proximity was not a license for praise but a demand for honesty, noting that closeness strips away illusion and compels fidelity to fact.
“It is for this reason that this book rejects incense and embraces evidence. His Excellency Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri requires no chorus of praise. His record is a standard more exacting witness,” the author stated.
Kumangar explained that the book does not seek to appropriate the governor for any specific group, emphasising that Fintiri belongs to all Adamawa State residents based on his own actions and convictions.
“He is not the property of tribe, party or personality. He is a public trust mandated by the people, shaped by their aspirations and sustained by their consent,” he said.
The author noted that the events surrounding the 2023 governorship election in Adamawa State were not incidental but constituted a defining moment for the transparency of Nigeria’s democratic institutions, electoral processes, and moral resolve.
Kumangar said the book introduces the concept of “Huduism” not as a slogan but as a cautionary framework documenting the anatomy of coordinated attempts at electoral subversion.
“It is a reminder that democracy can be undermined not only by force but by confusion, not only by violence but by silence, not only by arms but by compromised institutions,” he explained.
He expressed hope that the book would serve as an enduring reminder that equity and liberty require constant work, that the collective will of the people remains the ultimate authority in democracy, and that democracy requires vigilance not only on election day but every day that follows.
“May this book stand as a record, may it stand as a reminder, and may it stand as a resolve,” Kumangar concluded.
Most Reverend Dr. Matthew Hassan Kukah, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, who reviewed the book, commended the author for undertaking the task of documenting history and praised Governor Fintiri for his inclusive leadership style.
Bishop Kukah conducted a thorough analysis of the book’s five chapters, noting that the first chapter, titled “The Hudu Audacity,” provides historical context for understanding the book’s overall theme, with the author entering the scene with “historical guns blazing.”
He explained that the book presents the reader with a historical backdrop against which to appreciate Governor Fintiri’s emergence, showing how history collided with cultural metrics formed in distorted worldviews and claims founded on dubious supremacist ideals.
The bishop highlighted how the author introduced the concept of “Huduism” as a political phenomenon with an imperial creed that power must not be allowed to slip into the hands of those who will challenge the status quo or dare to empower the people.
“Huduism derives from the name of a gentleman hitherto unknown to many Nigerians—Hudu Yunusa-Ari, a lawyer who had been serving in Adamawa as the Resident Electoral Commissioner. He apparently went beyond the call of his duty to announce the results of the elections even before the process had concluded, thereby usurping the powers of the returning officer,” Bishop Kukah explained.
He noted that the book documents Governor Fintiri’s 11-point development agenda covering rural infrastructure, internal revenue mobilization, accountability and transparency, health, education, agriculture, security, commerce and industry, civil service reform, youth empowerment, and environmental protection.
The bishop emphasized that the author has set the examination and marked the candidate, referring to the documented achievements as a “superlative scorecard” with locations and timelines that are verifiable.
“The list is not one of empty claims because there are locations indicated and timelines that are verifiable. So all the critics can do is not to quarrel with the facts and the claims, but to legitimately be encouraged to trust but verify,” he said.
In his critique of the book, Bishop Kukah made several key observations. He commended the author for not shying away from being partisan and dedicated to giving the world a view of a man he has admired and worked with.
“Writing history is important for the development of nations because citizens have a chance to weigh the struggles of the winners and the losers,” the bishop stated.
He noted that while the author has made a strong case for his subject, critics are free to write their own accounts or offer corrections, emphasizing that this is how history shapes public opinion and enriches society.
Bishop Kukah pointed out an important lesson from the book regarding the complexity of Nigerian politics, using the example of how INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, who is from Bauchi State like Barrister Hudu Yunusa-Ari, was still able to overturn the illegal declaration despite sharing the same state of origin.
“The point I’m making here is that from reading this book, we must understand the complex web that makes Nigeria. We are not divided between Christians and Muslims or men and women. We are a complex, very beautiful country whose beauty lies in the complexity of our identities,” he said.
The bishop praised Governor Fintiri for his policy of inclusion and for seeing beyond limited religious divisions, noting that the governor has been accused by narrow-minded individuals of not being a good Muslim because of his inclusive approach.
“However, this is how it should be. Good governance should build, not divide our community. It is the author’s labor to make this point about the urgency of inclusion, and this is the legacy that the next generation of Adamawa youth, sons and daughters must try to pursue,” Bishop Kukah stated.
He observed that the book, while over 300 pages, is not a full biography of Governor Fintiri, with only 12 paragraphs and less than four pages speaking about the personal life of the man.
“We don’t know what water he drank. We don’t know how he managed to achieve this spirit of invincibility, but we will have to wait for that because we need his autobiography,” the bishop said.
Bishop Kukah shared his personal experiences with Governor Fintiri, recounting how he had heard much about the governor from his friend, Bishop Stephen Dami Mamza of Yola Diocese, describing the chemistry between the governor and the people of Adamawa as exemplary.
He recalled being in Yola on April 12, 2021, with Bishop Mamza and Governor Fintiri to launch the IDP housing project built by the Catholic Church for men and women of all faiths.
“Your Excellency, thank you for displaying that true leadership is about courage to take decisions that are life-changing and costly, but in the long run, build societies. Without courageous leaders like you, we will remain trapped in a cesspool of bloodshed in the name of religion by children of the devil who believe that some people are superior and others are children of a lesser God, just based on religion,” Bishop Kukah said.
He emphasized the need for Nigerians to work collectively, noting with concern the recurring cycle of violence in the country.
“What is happening to us in Nigeria is not happening in Ghana, not happening in Sudan, not happening anywhere. There is no other country in the whole world where they can kill 10 people on Monday, 50 people on Tuesday, 100 people on Wednesday, and we are still celebrating, and nothing stops. We can’t go on like this,” the bishop lamented.
Former Senate President Bukola Saraki, who has known Governor Fintiri for over a decade, praised the governor for his courage in submitting his record to public scrutiny through the book launch.
“My relationship with the man of the moment goes back over a decade, when he was then Acting Governor. I saw in him an individual who was very focused, very determined, and very strategic in delivering dividends of democracy to our people,” Saraki said.
He emphasized that only a leader confident in their performance would allow such public assessment of their work, noting that many leaders seek power for its own sake rather than for service and performance.
“The governor is sending a clear message to Adamawa State that they should feel free to assess his work. Only a leader who is sure of his performance can do this. This emphasizes the importance of leaders being intentional and having a plan,” Saraki stated.
The former Senate President highlighted the importance of such books in improving democracy by providing clear accountability and allowing citizens to review the stewardship of their leaders.
“Books like this will go a long way in challenging, supporting and improving our democracy because it allows us, the electorate, to have clear accountability, to look at and review the stewardship of our leaders,” he said.
Saraki called on the organizers to ensure copies of the book reach young people in secondary schools across Adamawa State and beyond, describing it as the best way to educate the younger generation about the period and its lessons.
“As a country with a young population, events like this are so important in guiding young ones who are coming ahead and in laying the foundation for a greater country,” he added.
He urged Governor Fintiri to continue delivering dividends of democracy to his people until the last day of his administration.
“Let me use this opportunity to remind you, Governor, to continue to deliver more dividends of democracy to your people unto the last day of this administration. Ensure that you end well on a high note because you have worked for your people,” Saraki said.
Speaking to journalists at the event, Laori Kwamoti, a commentator, described Governor Fintiri as an enigma and a man of courage, commitment, and focus.
“His Excellency is an enigma. He’s a man of courage and commitment, and he’s well focused. We are not surprised today about the book launch and what is written in the book,” Kwamoti said.
He emphasized that the book brought out the essence of democracy and the struggle, allowing people to know what transpired during the critical period.
“This is the way to go, and I believe everybody should also try to write their own story. We need that so that younger ones will read what has happened, so that we can have a good perspective as to our history and the events that shape the history,” he stated.
Kwamoti endorsed Bishop Kukah’s call for other northern governors to emulate Governor Fintiri’s example, suggesting that Fintiri should take the lead in creating a forum for northern governors.
“Governor Fintiri should take the lead and create a forum for the other governors so that northern Nigeria will have a platform where they can sit down, digest, look at things and bring us solutions to what is happening in the north,” he said.
Comrade Mustapha Salihu, APC National Vice Chairman for the North East Zone, unveiled the book at the ceremony attended by political leaders including Bauchi State Governor Senator Bala Mohammed, traditional rulers, security chiefs, and other dignitaries from across Nigeria.
Kumangar, who currently serves as Permanent Secretary in the Adamawa State civil service, has had a distinguished career working closely with Governor Fintiri in various capacities since the governor’s early political journey.
