2023 polls and Fintiri’s phantom attempt at rewriting history to smear Atiku’s valiant support
By Hon. Umar Bello Jada
History is always brutal to villains, traitors and mortal potentates who think they can whimsically trump clear narratives and distort facts to suit their phantom proclivities. In their infantile lust to change established facts, they usually end up messing themselves further because the more they tried to bury history the more history resists their insidious schemes.
It is in this context that I will situate the phantom attempt of governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri to change the narratives of the 2023 guvernorship election in Adamawa through subterfuge, lies and distortion of facts with the sole aim of bastardizing the superlative contributions of Atiku towards the phenomenal, landmark and decisive victory of PDP in the guvernorship election.
In history, there is no force like fact as boldly illustrated by the aphorism that ‘facts are sacred.’ As a conscious and consistent advocate of truth and justice, l would like to note here that a number of factors coalesce to ensure the decisive victory of Fintiri during that election. But the single most dominant factor which constitute about 60 percent of that victory is the Atiku’s commandeering and impregnable support.
Related news
Breaking: Umar Bello Jada resigns as SSA to gov Fintiri
Adamawa ADC crisis: Jada raises alarm, accuses Dasin of moves to impose unpopular candidates
Another crack in Adamawa ADC as Sen Abbo withdraws support for Dasin ctee
But the attempt of Fintiri in trying to rewrite history is itself symptomatic of an inexorable political drift because history has shown that leaders who face declining public confidence often resort to blaming others rather than confronting their own strategic and leadership failures.
Fintiri may indulge in the charade of self adulation by calling himself a ‘child of destiny,’ ‘the best governor in Adamawa’ or ‘the man they could not stop’, but the facts remain that Fintiri on his own did not have the political muscle and clout to make any appreciable impact during the 2023 guvernorship election. Therefore, he could not have mustered or galvanized the mass support that led to his election victory.
It is on this premise that I will unequivocally state that Fintiri’s attempt, to blame former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for the difficulties surrounding his re-election in the 2023 Adamawa governorship election is not only uncharitable but a classic example of dishonesty, deflection and ingratitude.
The allegation that Atiku connived with Senator Aishatu Binani and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to undermine Fintiri’s re-election bid fell flat as it represents a deliberate distortion of facts, aimed more at defending his glaring disloyalty, ingratitude, and lack of capacity to acknowledge support and appreciate those responsible for it. It also portrays a pathological narcissistic and megalomaniac disposition.
Like or hate Atiku, but one thing you must accept is the role he played during those critical moments becoming the Fintiri’s shield against powerful enemies who wanted to deprive him of victory willy nilly.
As the party’s leader and presidential candidate, Atiku went above and beyond what was legally and politically required to support Governor Fintiri’s re-election. He embarked on extensive ward-to-ward campaigns, particularly in areas where the PDP faced serious challenges, such as Ganye Chiefdom, Mayo-Belwa, Fufore, Yola, and Song axes within the Central Zone, which were traditionally strongholds of Senator Binani.
In these areas, where Governor Fintiri’s political influence was minimal, Atiku leveraged his long-standing alliances, record of empowerment, and political network and mentorship to boost PDP’s fortunes, raising support levels to between 40 and 45 percent. Without this intervention, the election would not have become inconclusive, nor would there have been a runoff. Senator Binani would have secured outright and spectacular victory.
Atiku’s larger than life political clout and muscle which makes him one of the most prolific, popular and respected politicians was borne out of many solid factors that one cannot wished away with the wave of the hand.
Such dominance made him to decisively defeat president Muhammadu Buhari despite his cult like following in Adamawa State and Peter Obi despite the resort of the Christians to give him block votes. Atiku’s large political clout can be hinged on the following attributes.
First; Atiku Abubakar is a lifelong democrat whose political history is defined by resistance to authoritarianism. From standing up to military dictatorship to repeatedly challenging flawed elections through legal means, Atiku’s record is consistent, verifiable, and public. Portraying him as a mastermind of electoral subversion is not only illogical but intellectually dishonest.
Second; Atiku had no political, strategic, or moral incentive to undermine Governor Fintiri’s re-election in 2023. There was no benefit whatsoever in doing so. His overriding objective in Adamawa was to secure both the governorship and the presidency for the PDP a mission he achieved against all odds. Weakening a sitting PDP governor in his home state would amount to self-sabotage.
Third; Senator Aishatu Binani was the APC candidate, produced through her party’s internal democratic processes and backed by her supporters. It is a well-known fact that as of 2023, Atiku Abubakar and Senator Binani had no political or business relationship whatsoever. To suggest that Atiku controlled or assisted her political ambition is not only a hubris but also insulting to her political pedigree and years of hard-earned achievements. Such claims also insult the intelligence of Adamawa voters especially Binani’s core support based by oversimplifying what a complex and competitive electoral contest.
At this point, I would like to reemphasize that elections are determined by structures, mobilization, credibility, and voter sentiment, not imaginary backroom conspiracies and Atiku has these attributes in huge supply.
Fourth; As we all know, INEC is a constitutionally independent body with the constitutional mandate to ensure the conduct of a free and fair elections. While criticism of its performance is legitimate, selectively blaming Atiku Abubakar for perceived institutional failures is a calculated attempt to shift responsibility away from those who mismanaged their campaigns and lost touch with the electorate.
The uncomfortable truth remains, Atiku Abubakar played a decisive role in preventing the declaration of Senator Aishatu Binani as governor-elect. This is an indelible fact of history. Atiku again deployed every ounce of his influence to change her declaration as the winner of the polls.
In his vaunting desire to back Fintiri’s cause, Atiku even delayed his return to Abuja where he was urgently needed to consult with his legal team on the presidential election petition against President Tinubu, until Governor Fintiri was officially declared the winner of the 2023 guvernorship contest. Despite the extremely limited timeframe for filing election petitions, Atiku remained in Adamawa until the process was completely exhausted and concluded. Numerous video recordings circulating on social media attest to this fact.
Governor Fintiri’s political mishaps were not engineered by Atiku Abubakar. They were largely homegrown; rooted in internal party divisions, alienation of key stakeholders, and governance decisions that failed to inspire confidence among critical voting blocs, particularly the Hausa-Fulani community.
Rather than rewriting history, I urge the governor to soberly engage in honest self-examination. Blaming Atiku Abubakar may provide temporary emotional relief and sooting comfort to him, but it does nothing to rebuild trust, heal divisions, or prepare for future electoral battles. This counsel is more critical as Fintiri take his exit route from the seat of power in 2027. As we approach the election cycle, I believe Fintiri will receive the shock of his life when the seeds he planted seven years ago beging to bear fruits.
As I have said before, Atiku Abubakar remains one of Nigeria’s most consistent defenders of democracy. No amount of revisionist storytelling can erase decades of sacrifice, struggle, and public service. History will ultimately remember those who stood for democratic values and those who distorted them for personal convenience.
Governor Fintiri’s political camp must stop insulting the intelligence of the Adamawa people. The claim that Atiku Abubakar connived with Senator Binani and INEC to deny Fintiri a second term is not only false, it is a lame, and lazy excuse to atone self-inflicted political wounds.
Let us be blunt: Atiku Abubakar has a deeper political stake in Adamawa than Governor Fintiri can imagine. Adamawa is Atiku’s political home. If Fintiri indulges in a sober self assessment, he will come to the conclusion that he is the very architect of his dwindling political fortunes. It is apt to in this discourse mention some of Fintiri’s political baggages that made him a persona non grata even amongst his party men and women.
It was on record that Fintiri has alienated senior stakeholders and party elders.
He also sidelined founding PDP members who have immense political weight and are highly respected by their people. He created parallel power centers within the party and government and even ignored genuine reconciliation efforts. It was clear that with the deluge of issues confronting Fintiri in the build up to the election day, his re-election bid was collapsing. It was Atiku’s influence that saved what would have been one of the worst electoral misfortunes for Fintiri.
On the other hand, Senator Aishatu Binani did not require Atiku’s support to secure the votes she garnered under the APC. She has over the years built a stout grassroots networks across local governments, mobilized women, and attracted protest votes from citizens dissatisfied with the state government’s lackluster performance.
If Governor Fintiri possessed evidence of any conspiracy involving Atiku Abubakar, he should make it available in order to shame the former vice president otherwise he should shut up and stop inundating us with tales that will pass as beer parlor gossips.
Atiku Abubakar’s public record is clear: a consistent defender of democracy, a serial challenger of rigged elections, and a long-standing advocate of electoral reform. One does not suddenly transform from such a figure into an electoral manipulator overnight.
This blame game only helped in espousing one fundamental issue with governor Fintiri and that is political insecurity and waning political fortunes. It is often said that strong leaders always accept responsibility while weak leaders manufacture enemies. It is in this light that I will situate the Fintiri’s new ranting.
The people of Adamawa know who stood with them long before Governor Fintiri assumed office. They know who built the political structures that others later benefited from. They know who invests in people, not propaganda. Fintiri’s political crisis is homegrown, and no amount of historical revisionism will change that reality.
I want to use this auspicious opportunity to call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, NSA Nuhu Ribadu, and the APC leadership to take note of subversive elements who want to sneak into their party not because they love its ideals but through decoys, fictions and false narratives. History has a way of repeating itself when lessons are ignored and it is always on the side of the repressed.
Jada writes from Abuja.
