From Billy Graham Abel, Yola
When Shaibu Babas, chairman, Fufore Local Government Area, Adamawa State, passed away on April 23, 2025, no one anticipated the political intrigues that would play out thereafter.
What should have been a moment of mourning, sober reflection and a straightforward constitutional succession morphed into a drama of nerves and master card of political manipulation.
Babas had paired with Peace Audu as his running mate. Together they campaigned and together they won the hearts of their people, jointly serving them until death did them part.
Upon his death, however, some forces in the shadows were opposed to the swearing in of Audu as the substantive chairman of Fufore LG. The All Progressives Congress (APC) and supporters of Senator Aishatu Binani condemned the delay.
They accused Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of religious and gender bias, alleging that the delay stemmed from the fact that Audu was a Christian and a woman. The criticism went viral on social media, igniting a fierce debate.
But Fintiri’s camp, led by his Chief of Staff and former Head of Service, did not find the narrative acceptable. He said his principal “is neither a religious bigot nor a male chauvinist,” saying, “government is warm to Christians.” He cited the diverse make-up of members of the administration in the state as proof: “The government will never undermine the succession of officers as prescribed by the 1999 Constitution. The selection of Peace Audu as the vice chairman on a joint ticket with a Muslim chairman is an example of the governor’s commitment to inclusive governance.”
Despite the fact the position of the Adamawa State Local Government Establishment and Administration Law No. 4 of 2000 in Section 22(1) is clear, some extremists felt otherwise about Audu. It stipulates that the vice chairman shall assume office, if the chairman’s seat becomes vacant by death, resignation, or removal.
But these faceless extremists argued that Fufore LG is part of an emirate, while alleging that Islamic tradition forbids a Christian or a woman from leading in an emirate. But they met their match. Members of the civil society organisations and legal experts insisted that Fufore was not a religious institution but a constitutional entity within a secular republic.
Patience Ishaku Abbo in a live Facebook broadcast, described the delay in Audu’s assumption of office as “executive overreach driven by religious chauvinism.” She emphasised that Nigeria’s Constitution, under Section 10, did not recognise any state religion and that Section 42 guaranteed freedom from discrimination based on sex or religion.
Eventually, on May 5, 2025, Peace Samson Audu was sworn in by the Chief Judge, Justice Hafsat Abdulrahman, as chairman, Fufore LG.