We Are on Course: We Refuse to be Distracted

 My attention has been drawn to comments credited to former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu by an online writer “Adamawa ADC Defection to APC; “it’s a done deal, we are tired of a fraudulent Government”

I am shocked by such remarks as “Ribadu is one man I have great respect for so when I read the write-up, I was taken a back and disappointed that he made such a remark.

In the last one month, a lot has been said about the Government and the person of Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri which for all intents and purposes is aimed at tarnishing the image and Government of the ATM Ambassador who is on a rescue mission after years of arrested development of the State.

One wonders why the Governor’s motives have been questioned, the support from trusted partners queried, accusations and attacks made against him and now mischievous comments about a fraudulent Government?

Remarks from non-other person than Nuhu Ribadu though expected in politics, is very disheartening. I am at a loss to why these comments should be made, as the actions of Governor Ahamadu Umaru Fintiri since coming to office were motivated by his passion to bring back the lost glory of the State by building the Adamawa of tomorrow destroyed by the same opposition crying foul.

It does seem, these political saints are bent at forcing Adamawa people to believe that underdevelopment is normal and any attempt to change the narrative is unacceptable.

Mallam Nuhu Ribadu has the right to association, but lacks the moral standing to tell Adamawa people who to vote or not. Such should not come from the All Progressives Congress chieftain whose party lost to Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri in the 2019 elections. 

APC should better bury itself in shame and accept the will of God and the decision of the people.

I regret to say that APC is the political enemy of itself contrary to the claim of Ribadu that people from outside are “Scheming to set them at war, while moving around as scavengers to eat up their loots”.

I believe that the most effective way is to allow a Democracy operate as a Democracy, and allow past and serving officials remain beholden to the people they swore to serve.

The relationship between Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri and the people has always been on intersecting civic engagement to take the State to greater heights.

Just recently, the Fresh Air Governor in a Townhall meeting with Civil Society Organizations and various groups from across the State had cause to brainstorm on what worked or did not work in the implementation of the 2020 Budget and the expectations of the 2021 Budget before the State Assembly. This initiative which is first in the State has been described as commendable and the way to go, because of believe that Democracy is the Government of the people, by the people and for the people.

I advise the people to interrogate these so called political saints and ask questions as responsible tax-paying citizens who have seen how their resources are being utilized towards moving the State forward unlike in the past where public funds are shared instead of making use of it for purposes appropriated.

Even the blind will testify to the revolution that is changing perspectives of the arrested development of Adamawa State.

Can Ribadu truly defend his accusation that this administration is a fraud? Can he also say that the four years of APC achieved what Fintiri has achieved in less than two years?

I beg to debunk Mr. Nuhu Ribadu’s remark of the PDP administration in Adamawa as “Fraudulent” Mr. Ribadu must note that, this Government came into office through a free and fair democratic process convincing the electorate that it has programmes and policies that can change the sad commentary of the State under the APC.

Secondly, though the election outcome was further tested when the opposition went to court and the Judiciary confirmed the election as authentic and credible, it is laughable that a lawyer would describe the Government as “Fraudulent”.

It is also fact that we here also believe power comes from God. Therefore, calling election as “fraudulent” is an insult on the electorate, Judiciary and questions the will of God.

The APC blew its chances by abusing the process of picking candidates, internal wrangling, bad governance and like Ribadu said, they better go back and fix their problems instead of blaming PDP and Governor Fintiri for their woos.

The ATM Governor has opened up its umbrella wide and accepted to work with all irrespective of party affiliation carrying everybody along and it is surprising that such unwarranted comments could come from a supposed stakeholder in the Adamawa project.

Governor Fintiri has always said that “Ours is a Government committed to ensuring respect for the public good, accountability, transparency and openness in the management of public funds”. He has always insisted on this, but surprisingly the opposition that failed the people which necessitated a power shift has continued to mount attacks on the Government as they see nothing good about its sincerity of purpose towards making Adamawa work again.

Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri will not bow to pressure to stop him from implementing his Eleven (11) Point Agenda that is on course. He is focused at making a difference and the reason the people decided to kick out APC is still fresh in their minds. That is what PDP has come to uphold.

Mallam Nuhu Ribadu must come to terms with reality and never throw stones when living in a glass house. The dreams of the ordinary voters who have sacrificed their time to make Democracy work, while also enjoying the dividends that comes with it all as well as putting to rest the failures of the past, motivates the Fresh Air Governor and necessitates it to reiterate-We refuse to be distracted.

Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri will keep up the good fight, and I believe he will prevail, nevertheless, in the best interest of Adamawa State.