The Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, has charged the chairmen of the state’s 21 Local Government Areas (LGAs) to uphold transparency, shun corruption, and prioritise grassroots development in the discharge of their responsibilities.
Governor Fintiri gave the charge during the inauguration of the newly elected chairmen of the state’s 21 LGAs held in Yola on Wednesday.
The governor urged the officials to see public office as a sacred trust and remain accountable to the people who elected them.
He congratulated the chairmen, the 226 councillors, and the people of Adamawa State on the successful conduct of the local government elections, commending the Adamawa State Independent Electoral Commission (ADSIEC) for conducting what he described as a credible exercise across the 21 LGAs.
Fintiri said that the successful election further demonstrated his administration’s commitment to strengthening democracy at the grassroots, noting that the state had conducted four local government elections within seven years.
“Once again, we have demonstrated our commitment to an entrenched democratic culture rooted in the sanctity of elections, especially at the grassroots level,” he stated.
Fintiri stressed that taking the oath of office was more than a ceremonial exercise, reminding the chairmen that they would be personally accountable for how they discharged the responsibilities entrusted to them.
Describing the oath of office as a solemn commitment to both the people and God, he enjoined the council leaders to remain faithful to their mandate by delivering meaningful development to their communities.
“As you join the Fresh Air administration, let me remind you that the weight of the oath you have taken today lies in how well you serve your people and bring democratic dividends to their doorsteps,” he remarked.
The governor directed the chairmen to be visible and accessible in their respective local government areas, warning against absentee leadership.
“This isn’t a part-time job. As leaders of the closest tier of government to the people, your doors must be wide open and your people must have access to you as much as possible at all times,” Fintiri advised.
He added that no chairman was elected to operate from the state capital except on official assignments, insisting that residents should always find their elected leaders in their councils.
Fintiri also encouraged the chairmen to work closely with traditional rulers and development area administrators to strengthen public confidence in government and deepen collaboration for sustainable development.
On public finance, the governor cautioned the chairmen to adhere strictly to accountability and transparency in managing public resources.
He warned that citizens were becoming more informed and would demand explanations on how public funds were utilised. “The people whom you have just sworn to serve have not just become wiser but are now bolder. They will follow their money wherever it goes and demand accountability. They will ask questions and demand answers.”
The governor further urged the council leaders to reject corruption and all forms of financial misconduct, emphasising that every resource meant for development must be used judiciously.
“You must shun corruption and all corrupt tendencies. You must at all times be accountable and responsible to the people as their leaders,” he admonished.
Fintiri congratulated the newly inaugurated chairmen once again and appealed to their families and associates to avoid placing unnecessary pressure on them while in office, urging the council leaders to remain focused on delivering quality governance to the people of Adamawa State.
