Arewa Times

By Ibrahim H. Tinja

Arewa Ears Community Development Forum, in an effort to lend support to other Northerners who are in dire need of upliftment of their lives, has expressed interest in establishing a partnership with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), a government establishment to assist Nigerians.

We are greatly impressed by the work SMEDAN has been doing under the leadership of Dr. Charles Odii since his appointment as Director General in October 2023. Arewa Ears is currently recognized as one of the most outstanding organizations in Nigeria, particularly in the Northern region, for its unwavering commitment to providing hope and a sense of belonging to the common citizens across the 19 Northern states.

Some of what we have achieved include offering entrepreneurship skills training and providing support to individuals to kickstart small businesses, enabling them to meet their basic needs and enhance their livelihood. We firmly believe that addressing the root causes of issues such as hunger, poverty, and unemployment is crucial in promoting peace and stability in any society.

Arewa Ears understands that hunger can lead to anger, and unchecked anger can escalate to violence. We recognize that beneath the surface of anger lie deep-seated emotions such as hurt, fear, frustration, sadness, and vulnerability. By addressing these underlying emotions and providing sustainable solutions, we aim to foster a peaceful and prosperous environment in the Northern region of Nigeria.

It is disheartening to witness the transformation of the once peaceful and welcoming Northern region into an area plagued by ignorance, banditry, poverty, child trafficking, unemployment, and various forms of criminal activities. However, we are optimistic that through collaborative efforts and strategic partnerships, we can effect positive change and uplift the lives of the people in the region.

We equally believe that collaborating with SMEDAN, we can leverage our respective strengths and resources to create greater impact and reach more needy individuals. Together, we can work towards building a more resilient and thriving community in the Northern states of Nigeria.

We would be grateful for the opportunity to discuss potential areas of collaboration and explore how our organizations can complement each other’s efforts towards achieving our shared goals. Your support and partnership would be invaluable in advancing our collective mission of promoting entrepreneurship, reducing poverty, and fostering sustainable development in the Northern region.

We identify SMEDAN as a crucial entity in addressing pressing issues, particularly concerning poverty and unemployment, within the 19 Northern states. During the meeting, the Chief Executive Officer of Arewa Ears Community Development Forum, Ambassador Mohammed Muazu, who was accompanied by his fellow members, Ambassador Sadiq Ibrahim Adamu, Ambassador Nura Garba Ahmad, Ambassador Sudais Suleiman Sokoto, Ambassador Lawan Munkailla, Ambassador Hadiza Mohammed Borno, and Ambassador Ibrahim Hussain Tinja, recently had a meeting with the Director General of SMEDAN, Dr. Charles Odii, along with Ms. Bridget Ohikhokai – Deputy Director F&A, and Alh. Moshood Lawal – Head Corporate Affairs (SMEDAN).

During the meeting, Ambassador Mohammed Muazu briefed the Director General, Dr. Odii, on what Arewa Ears Community Development Forum is all about and its mission and vision to promote and develop the good people of Northern Nigeria, irrespective of religion, tribe, and ethnicity. Ambassador Muazu highlighted the urgency of intervention in certain states that are mostly affected by unemployment. He informed plans to launch sensitization programs targeting youth in these states and invited SMEDAN to actively participate in these initiatives.

He disclosed that Arewa Ears Community Development Forum is an organization dedicated to addressing the pressing issues that are affecting the people of Northern Nigeria, particularly high levels of poverty and unemployment. Ambassador Muazu expressed his concerns about these issues and emphasized the need for collaboration with SMEDAN to support their cause. He also highlighted the fact that poverty and unemployment are major root causes of insurgency in the region, which has destabilized the entire Northern region.

Responding, Dr. Charles Odii promised to collaborate with Arewa Ears Community Development Forum and support their efforts to address these issues. He pledged to travel to all 19 Northern states of Nigeria together with Arewa Ears to raise awareness and find solutions to the challenges facing the region. He also committed to supporting 3000 active members of Arewa Ears with sensitization programs and professional entrepreneurship skills training through the application of INITIAL CREATE START SKILLS (ICSS) and Empowerment programs.

The meeting between Arewa Ears Community Development Forum and SMEDAN marks a significant step towards addressing the socio-economic challenges facing Northern Nigeria. By working together, these organizations can make a real difference in the lives of the people in the region and help create a more prosperous and stable future for all.

Arewa Ears Community Development

Several millions of people from around the world are still enthused about the effusion of miracles and blessings that rained down to the earth from the throne of God, at the seventh edition of Healing Stream Services which took place from March 17 – 20, 2023, as they participated.
The love and powers of God on display across all nations of the world simultaneously was indescribable and as many as were under any form of ailment or oppression of the devil received their salvation and instant healing and are attesting to the ever present healing powers of Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit present in the life of the Man of God Pastor Chris Oyakhilome.

Spontaneous healing took place across all nations on earth as God’s children were set free from all kinds of ailments and bondage. Testimonies streamed live from billions of people from all nations all over the world, as they reeled under the power of salvation, and spiritual juvenescence that they received during these three awesome days, evidencing the power in the name of Jesus Christ.
People of all races and continent irrespective of class and status, connected to Jesus Christ through the Live Healing Services in hope of divine intervention, and as a permanent solution to the myriad of ailments and conditions that have stumped medical science.
The Loveworld singers led the globe in sublime worship of the All Mighty God at the beginning of the Live Services daily, which is followed by a charge by the Director of the Healing School, Pastor Deola Phillips to all men to bury their doubts in order to be in the receiving mode from God.
“Be in a receiving mode! God cares about you and has done something about your situation. Today is the day for your miracle,”- Pastor Deola Phillips charge all worshippers. And true to her charge, many who keyed into her words got their deliverance and miracles at the Live Healing Service.
Progress from China, broke his right wrist on February 22 this year. Since then, he could not carry any object. During the worship session at the Live Healing service, he got healed. “It is unbelievable but I got healed. When I got home, I moved my bed naturally without any pain.”- Progress said.
Mrs Leonie Sagn from Senegal had been suffering from goiter since 2011. For 12 years she was dependent on drugs and medication. Anytime she failed to take her drugs, the goiter swells. On Day One of the Live Service, when Pastor Chris ministered, he spoke about a lady with neck problems. She immediately felt warmth in her neck and knew she had received her healing. Since then, she has not taken any medication, and the goiter is receding.
Liza Dominico, from the United Kingdom, had battled severe body odour for years. Nothing she did could get rid of it. A while after Pastor Chris ministered healing during Day 2 of the Live healing service, she suddenly noticed the odour had disappeared. Till now, the stench is gone.
A man brimming with love and spiritual authority, the Man of God, Pastor Chris, shared daily, revelational truths about the person and character of God. His plans and purpose for man and the endgame, of the profane and foolish, who, refuses to yield to God. It was a moment of awakening for billions as the Man of God made everyone to recognise that “Whatever God does is made to last forever. When he created you, he made you perfect. The only reason you get sick is because something that isn’t supposed to be in your body got into your body or something that was supposed to be there was taken away,” Pastor Chris said.
Thereafter, millions gave their heart to God while many rededicated themselves anew. Declaring the weekend an extraordinary one full of miracles, Pastor Chris went on to daily minister healing and strength to those on the receiving line before directing the healing power of God to all connected to the services globally. Grievous conditions, ailments, pains and disabilities of all kinds varnished instantly while demons fled summarily from bodies previously inhabited. Great rejoicing and testimonies sprung forth from every race, city, state and nation on earth in praise to God as hundreds of thousands discovered their healing and demonstrated it by doing what they couldn’t do before.
Each day of the weekend of extraordinary miracles unlocked new threshold of the supernatural as the manifestations of God’s supreme power continued unfettered across all nations.
The celebration of miracles continues at the ongoing Festival of Miracles as we share and relive unending testimonies wrought at the March 2023 Live Healing Services.
Holding daily on www.healingstreams.tv from 12noon-2 pm and 4pm-6pm respectively till Saturday the 1st of April, 2023, the festival of Miracles is a time of inspiration that will initiate quantum leaps in the faith of all participants, setting off even more miracles.
The testimony of Katrine from India, who got healed of Kidney failure after seven years while participating in her healing centre is one of many remarkable testimonies that have been featured so far during the festival of miracles.
Tenda’s life was marred with the constant pain brought on by Bell’s Palsy, asthma, knee pain, and fibroids. Unable to move around, work and do basic things without aid, Tenda sought new lease on life. She received her healing at the March Live Healing Services. While recounting her testimony at the ongoing Festival of Miracles, she says, “I am an epistle that the healing streams are flowing and that they are changing lives.”
Keep sending your testimonies to testimonies@healingstreams.tv and subscribe to www.healingstream.tv  for updates on new events.

By; MURTALA ADOGI MOHAMMED

Congratulations to all the brand new elected and re-elected Governors. Is not easy! The time to hit the ground running is NOW!

However, you need to know that, the work of a Governor begins with a transition period and if the primary responsibility of the Governor is to govern, that begs the question, HOW?

One thing you need to know is that campaigns are over, now it’s time to think and answers some of these questions – such as

1. How can I approach the job as a newly elected Governor?
2. How can I convert my campaign promises into Agenda & Results?
3. What is expected of me as a newly elected Governor as per things to do before the inauguration?
4. Want immediate decisions must be made?
5. What are the key things I need to do as per – policy development, governance, and communication tools?

In responding to some of these questions here are 7 Low Hanging fruits for a quick win…

1. Constitute a transition team with robust TOR, remember you only have two months to inauguration. As Governor-elect you will soon have full power and responsibility of the executive branch of the state. Constitutionally and practically – the statutory power of the Governor is often perceived by new Governors as more limited than they imagine.. The Notes developed by the transition committee will give you an insight into what is expected of you.
2. Constitute a technical team to handle the transition, you need a combination of technocrats and politicians. The ability of the Governor-elect to navigate the difficulties of governing will largely depend on the quality of work done by the transition team
3. Begin to build and nurture relationships with other arms of government, to effectively navigate the turbulent waters of governance, you need to have a strong working relationship with civil servants, legislatures, the press, and the public… Begin to do that today, through breakfast meetings and dinner.
4. On making appointments, the most important decisions a governor-elect will make during the transition will be selecting individuals to staff the Governor’s office, central management agencies, and executive council. Apart from individuals you also need a ‘team’ that will drive and coordinate the day-to-day running of the state. Competence, character, and commitment should be paramount in engaging people to work with.
5. Follow the rules of the game, and look at the processes of your administration as important tools to accomplish your key objectives. Communicate your goals to the team members, your target, milestones, and results should be very clear to all. As a newly elected Governor, make sure you keep your priorities firmly focused
6. Implementation of the 4 Years Strategic Plan – if you have one, good! If don’t have to develop one within 6 months of your administration. Immediately upon taking office, the Governor-elect is expected to be a master of the intricacies of the state government. Plans and programmes are the lifeblood of the state government, including emergency response plans and tracking of people’s complaints, and delivery of results
7. Media Team and Press Relations, we are in the era of people surviving through ‘cooking and sharing fake news’, therefore as a Governor-elect, you need a robust media team. Engaging the electorates through social media and offline. Mistakes at the beginning of your tenure can lead to serious challenges. Using the full power of press relations is not all about daily updates on social media, but it is about the overall narrative of the governor’s tenure…..

In conclusion, you need to know that, the transition period of a new Governor has often been described as the most intense period after the campaign. Also, you need to know that…successful Governors are principles leaders who remain in touch with their constituents. Remember to shape your administration with leadership, management, results tracking, and communication tools.

The first 3 appointments, Chief of Staff, Spokesman, and SSG – will tell who you are, not as Governor, but as LEADER!

Murtala Adogi Mohammed PhD is the Founder/Executive Director
System Strategy & Policy Lab he can be reached via mamurtala@gmail.com

By Dahiru Sani

… Heralding the ascension of Nigeria’s towering amazon to seat of power

… Why Fintiri mimicks her projects

… Survey gives her 70 percent margin of victory

… How her fear pushes Fintiri to go on overdrive, engage in last minute vote buying

… Real reasons why she enjoys cult like follower-ship

Adamawa State, the land of beauty is on the threshold of history as Senator Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed Binani is set to make a triumphant entry into the Dougirei seat of power as the first elected female governor in Nigeria’s political annals come March 18, 2023.

Going by the pulse of the state one can say with absolute certainty and precision that Binani is only few days away from the government house as her election as the successor to governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri is a fait accompli if popular votes are the drivers of electoral victory.

Apart from former governor Murtala Nyako, no governorship candidate enjoyed an unprecedented, cult like follower-ship and the goodwill Binani is currently enjoying which made many to believe that the March 18 election is going to be a walk over as Binani makes a scintillating and spectacular outing to the Dougirei seat of power.

Her popularity was reinforced by a survey recently conducted by an independent survey firm, Democracy Watch Network (DWN) in one of the biggest vox populi ever conducted in the state.

According to Mr. Stephen Godwin head research, planning and statistics, of DWN, Binani is set to emerge victorious with about 70 percent margin of victory which is unprecedented in the history of election in the state.

He said the survey which was carried out meticulously in the course of nine months involved over 500,000 respondents across the 21 local governments of the state with 95% degree of confidence.

He noted that women, youth and the people living with disability have the greatest preference for the female candidate as 80 percent of them endorsed her ambition. They expressed optimism that with Binani occupying the driver’s seat in Adamawa, they expect enhanced lifestyles, serious empowerment drive and a robust social investment packages which will save many families from the rampaging poverty currently ravaging the state.

Also corroborating DWN, a politician in Adamawa State, Sen. Ahmed Barata predicted a landslide victory for the female politician going by the avalanche of goodwill she enjoys on account of her meritorious service to the people.

“I have no doubt that the sassy, ebullient and enigmatic candidate of APC, senator Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed Binani a woman with large heart and a solid reputation of philanthropy and excellent service to humanity will trounce her male contenders especially the governor anytime any day.

“Sen. Binani, has paid her dues in leadership excellence and service to humanity; attributes that project her well above her competitors and will reap abundantly from the reservoir of goodwill she invested for years in the people.

“Binani has brought glamour, allure and colour to the all important business of leadership. Her sojourn into the realm of public service and politics has yielded unprecedented dividends to the people. Binani has broken leadership myths of under performance, raised the bar of good governance and upped the expectations of people from those they invested their future in. This has brought a paradigm shift of enhanced performance by those we elected in Adamawa State,” he said.

How destiny people’s will pushed Binani into politics

Binani’s sojourn into politics is predicated by destiny and the people’s prodding, two factors that conspired to push her into the game of numbers even against the will of her husband, Dr. Ahmed Modibbo at first instance.

Before she joined politics, Sen Binani was a budding young business woman who invested heavily on the people. Because of her interest to touch the lives of the people through philanthropy, she opened an NGO under whose canopy she began her massive empowerment drive in Yola South and Yola North being her immediate constituency.

Through that rare gesture, Binani was able to bring succour and relief to poor households, engaged in massive empowerment of women, youths and people living with disability, provided scholarships to orphans and other indigent students as well as ambulances to both christians and Muslims in the two local governments and many more.

Like the proverbial golden fish, Binani’s giant intervention which was phenomenal in history attracted massive goodwill to her from the people who issued a fiat directing her to go into politics so as to serve them better.

But as a married woman Binani referred them to her husband Dr. Modibbo who told them point blank that his wife is not carrying out the humanitarian intervention for reward and hence he declined the request.

The people who could not allow a good opportunity to pass by remained undaunted and kept pushing till Dr. Modibbo surrendered and gave his wife the green light to go ahead because of the belief that the prodding of the people is archetypal to a national call to duty.

Infact, Binani earned her popular political acclaim and sobriquet Kiran Jama’a (call to national duty) from that happenstance. In the first instance the people prodded her to represent Yola South, Yola North and Girei federal constituency. With the support of the people she became the first female in history to represent her people at that level. After satisfactory representation culminating in massive accrual of democracy dividends never witnessed before, the people again promoted her to the Senate.

After a spectacular performance at the Nigerian senate, the people also deemed it fit to again prod the amazon for a higher call of duty which translates to her phenomenal victory at the APC guvernorship primaries where she defeated her five male opponents comprehensively to the extent that the cumulative votes scored by the five candidates are less than her votes.

“It should be stressed here that Binani has never vied for any political office on account of her personal interest. She is always pushed by the people that is why she is in the habit of winning elections with landslides because it is the people who want her not the other way round.

“And the covenant between her and the electorates has been fulfilling and rewarding. On their parts the people willingly give her their mandates and she in return provides dividends of democracy to them.

“The reason why people asked her to vie for governorship position is due to her sturdy performance while in the senate. Despite being a senator she works like a governor by carrying out capital intensive projects like building of roads, hospitals, sinking of industrial boreholes providing empowerment packages and starter packs to hundreds of thousands of people. She has also made good laws whose impacts will outlive her.

“As a senator, she also turned Adamawa into her constituency as people from Madagali to Toungo, Guyuk to Belel recieved her support in the areas of skills acquisition, provision of empowerment packages, farm implements and starter packs which really helped a lot of families.

“Many people thought Binani won the last APC guvernorship primaries because of the influence of women. That is not true. Binani won that election overwhelmingly because she is the most sought after candidate who got genuine support from men and women alike as a payback for her immense gestures.

“She will still replicate similar feat of victory in the coming guvernorship election more than the primaries because the people will come out en masse to vote for her on account of her goodwill, track record of excellence ebullience, empathy and higher expectations,” Barata added.

Fintiri mimicks Binani’s gesture, earn rebuke as people cry foul

But in his attempt to score a political point, governor Fintiri has in a move many described as copycat, has been forced to take detour from his vow not to accord the people the much sought after “stomach infrastructure” which equates to empowerment by hastily organizing what could be described as a vote buying frenzy days after the March 11, guvernorship and state assembly election was postponed.

The governor according to reports has pencilled down Tuesday for the program in which no fewer than 10,000 women will receive a token of N50,000 from the governor.

But political analyst in the state who described the governor’s move as an attempt to buy people’s conscience rebuked him for his primitive desperation and abuse of privileges and perks of office.

They urged those lucky to be involved by the superfluous empowerment to collect the package but vote according to their conscience during the coming election as vote buying constitutes a gross human rights abuse.

They recalled that due to the governor’s failure to assist the people, one of his associates, Hon. Umar openly counsels the governor to direct his energy in providing succour to ameliorate the suffering of the citizens, but the governor through one of his aides Saidu Sarkin Zana excoriated and blackmailed Umar for daring to tell truth to power and even forced Umar to withdrew his statement on the strength that the governor was not happy with his submission.

Feelers from the government house indicated that after INEC shifted the guvernorship and state assembly election from March 11, to March 18, the governor planned a deceptive empowerment package ostensibly to empower 10,000 women. But investigation indicated that the number is over exaggerated as the women pencilled down for empowerment are in the region of 600.

“The governor has no such plans to empower the women but Binani’s serious empowerment is making him to lose sleep. So the shift of the polls offered him a window to decieve our mothers by lying that he will empower about 10,000 of them with N50,000 capital to start businesses.

“In truth, the program is a complete sham and dead on arrival. It is stage managed to decieve the women as the government does not have the capacity to compile the names of 10,000 women within a short period of time. So instead a handful number of women that may pass as mistresses, concubines and relatives to some highly placed people were quickly put together for the ruse,” a source close to the government house said.

Another fear induced action taken by the governor as a result of the Binani phenomenon is the proscription of activities of NGOs over a phantom allegation of vote buying. The rash and imperious action as expected has precipitated considerable disquiet in the state as stakeholders said such action is a crude display of power and an attempt to muscle peoples rights at will.

Feelers also reveal that the governor has few weeks ago in a futile attempt to deny Binani the opportunity to participate in the election has sought an experte motion to debar her from participating in the polls but sources said the attempt was frustrated by the judiciary which asserted her independence by refusing to tow the governor’s doomed path.

Why Binani enjoyed cult follower-ship in Adamawa

Binani currently straddles Adamawa political space like a colossus and enjoyed massive goodwill from the people on account of her passion, empathy, support and down to earth posture.

She is a woman that can go to any length to fight for the development of her state and the people through direct empowerment, life changing projects and impactful laws.

A conservative estimate has it that since her sojourn into politics, Binani has empowered no fewer than 100,000 people and has addressed multi-dimensional poverty which straddles many communities.

“In the last four years, Binani has carried out a number of critical life changing projects that only a governor can attempt and touches the lives of all Adamawa citizens despite being only a senator. Such display of wit, spiritedness, valour and can do spirit was the major reason why she will win election in Adamawa State any day,” Hon. Sen Barata added.

How gov cunningly blindfolded Ribadu, CAN, Atiku, Tukur, Aisha Buhari into supporting his second term bid

By Dahiru Sani

Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri’s foxy political scheming to retain power at all cost come March 11, 2023 guvernorship election has been unveiled. In one of the most diabolic political maneuvers in history, the governor has deceptively lured even his arch political rivals and opponents into supporting his second term bid.

EXPOSED: Fintiri’s dubious political deals to retain power at all cost

Findings by this paper indicated that the governor is cunningly using a double-edged snare and fake promises to entrap his unsuspecting political preys into his booby trap.

Information available to this paper indicated that the governor has through the dubious promises cajoled a number of political gladiators with a promise to anoint them as his successors if they support his second term ambition

Some of the governor’s victims according to sources close to the politicians include, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, Aisha Buhari, Atiku Abubakar, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and his close associates, professor Liman Tukur and Awwal D. Tukur.

Multiple sources close to the seat of power disclosed that Fintiri has enlisted the support of Nuhu Ribadu into his second term project by promising to handover power to him at the end of his second tenure.

In the same vein, the governor also made former vice president Atiku Abubakar to believe that he will handover power to his first son, Adamu Atiku Abubakar upon the expiration of his second tenure.

The governor has also allegedly promised CAN of anointing a Christian as his successor so as to curry their favour in the coming election and at the same time promised to anoint professor Liman Tukur as well as Awwal D. Tukur as his successors.

This paper learnt that energized by such promises all the affected persons and groups are reportedly working round the clock to ensure the victory of Fintiri come March 11, guvernorship election in the state.

A source with latest information about the governor’s recent deals with Ribadu told our reporter that the governor used a senior APC stalwart from Ganye local government to convince Ribadu to key into his reelection bid with the promise that the gesture will be requited in 2027.

The source said in order to maintain fidelity to the deal, it was agreed that the governor will return to the APC after winning his second term bid so as to create the necessary atmosphere for the smooth handing over of power to Ribadu in 2027.

It was also agreed that upon defection to the APC, Fintiri will also forward the name of one of Aisha Buhari’s brothers who once aspired to lead the state as minister designate from Adamawa State.

Some of the terms of agreement according to our sources include deployment of huge sums of money to get a section of the APC machinery in Adamawa State to work against the interest of the guvernorship candidate of the party, Senator Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed Binani.

The plan according to the source will entail the deployment of huge sums of money to ensure APC supporters dump their candidate and support the aspiration of governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri.

In order to be on the safe side, the Nuhu Ribadu camp has reportedly demanded that a document containing the terms of the deal should be sealed as the camp is said to be wary of Fintiri especially in view of the fact that he has once betrayed an agreement with Nuhu Ribadu in the aftermath of governor Murtala Nyako’s impeachment.

“Accordingly, the governor of Jigawa state Mohammed Badaru Abubakar as well as his counterpart of Zamfara State Bello Matawalle have been chosen to witness the deal so as to prevent a possible backlash and perfidy by Fintiri,” our sources disclosed.

According to insiders, the deal will be implemented at the national and state levels. The operation at the national level is aimed at convincing the president elect, Bola Tinubu to accept the deal as the most expedient thing to do rather than allowing the party to lose election in the state.

The second operation will be done at the state level and will be spearheaded by the organizing secretary of the party, Mustapha Atiku Ribadu who will ensure that the party structure at the state level works against the ambition of Binani. It is said that Mustapha Ribadu has been carrying out his part of the deal as he was said to have unleashed a serious media war against the candidate of his party.

It is also revealed that in a bid to warm his way into the heart of former vice president Atiku Abubakar, governor Fintiri has also promised to make Adamu the heir apparent to the Dougirei government house in 2027.

Information pieced together by this paper revealed that the outcome of the just concluded presidential election in Adamawa State has shocked the governor to his marrows as he never envisaged even in his wildest imagination that Atiku will sweep the state in the manner he did.

Initially, Fintiri had envisaged that Atiku will lose the state to Tinubu as he thought the Muslim-Muslim ticket will receive overwhelming support of the Hausa/Fulani stock. However, the permutations somehow changed due to the belief that the Hausa/Fulani whose votes are predominantly for Buhari decided to go against the APC due to fuel scarcity and naira redesign policy which exposed people to harsh economic realities. Another reason for the overwhelming victory of Atiku has to do with the tacit endorsement of Atiku by the pro Buhari establishment who worked hard to ensure the defeat of the presidential candidate of the APC in Nigeria.

It is believed that out of the four hundred thousand votes garnered by Atiku in the presidential polls, about three hundred thousand came from the Hausa/Fulani establishment while about one hundred thousand came from the core PDP constituencies.

With this unsettling realization, it dawned on Fintiri, that Aisha Binani, his major opponent may coast to victory on a platter of gold as most of the three hundred thousand votes which came from the APC constituency will naturally go to her. And with the mutual distrust between him and Atiku, his only saving grace is to ensure being on the side of the Waziri of Adamawa.

Information available to us indicated that Fintiri who at best of times kept the former vice president at arms length suddenly became extremely loyal as he became very close to the former vice president. To even nudged the loyalty further, Fintiri was one of the seven PDP governors who filed a lawsuit to the supreme court challenging INEC over superficial conduct of the presidential and national assembly elections as they claimed the election was massively rigged.

Sources with the know how of happenings in the Atiku camp are wary of the latest antecedents of the governor and refused to be swayed by Fintiri’s renewed show of loyalty towards Atiku. A number of Atiku’s close lieutenants like Baba 10 have been vociferous in their opposition towards the governor’s second term ambition despite his open show of remorse and embrace of Atiku.

Similarly, Alh. Babangida Bushiyare, a trusted ally of the villa cabals who supported Atiku with all their might in a radio program said his group is fully mobilizing for Binani as revenge for Gov. Fintiri’s loyalty to Nyemson Wike instead of Waziri.

Again with the promise that he will anoint others, to occupy the plum seat, the question that readily comes to mind is the fate of Professor Liman Tukur whom the governor promised to make his successor when he assumed power in 2019.

Snippets and anecdotes about relationship between Fintiri and Professor Liman Tukur reveal that in the run up to the 2019 general election, Professor Liman Tukur enlisted the support of his brother Hassan Tukur to bankroll governor Fintiri’s ambition to rule the state with a promise to also handover power to Liman Tukur in 2027 after serving for eight years. In the same breadth, feelers from the Dougirei government house indicated that after he lost out with the Bamanga Tukur’s family following his failure to give Awwal D. Tukur the Adamawa central senatorial ticket, Fintiri has promised to compensate the family by making Awwal the next governor when he will exit the government house in 2027.

Again the promise which Fintiri made to CAN that he will anoint a Christian to succeed him is an open secret. The governor according to informed sources has sealed a pact with the christian community to the effect that he will ensure that a Christian succeeds him in 2027.

Like the case of Nuhu Ribadu, the christians also struct some bargains with the governor to ensure that they are not shortchanged. Part of the bargains entered stipulated that CAN will dissuade christians from getting into the guvernorship contest even in the small political parties so that the christian votes can go to Fintiri in block. That deal according to feelers is also responsible for the open declaration of support that CAN chairman in Adamawa State Bishop Dami Mamza accorded Fintiri.

In turn, the governor also promised to give christians more considerations in the implementation of some critical policies like employment, and award of scholarships and other very critical endeavours.

As the election draws nearer, the question on the lips of many is how does Fintiri intends to escape the snare of the Frankenstein monster he has delusionally created unscathed? Only time will tell.