Adamawa Acting Governor Joins Guber Race

The Adamawa State Acting Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, has picked an expression of intent form to contest the October 11 Governorship bye-election on the platform of the Peoples' Democratic Party, PDP.

Confirming the development to journalists in a telephone interview, the acting governor said he decided to take that action based on "popular demand".

"The voice of the people is the voice of God and I have no option than to succumb to the sustained pressure by the people of Adamawa to join the race.

"I am a grassroots politician who has been in touch with the people since I joined politics and all my actions have been guided by the people", Mr. Fintiri said.

The Acting Governor said if he emerged as the substantive governor of the state he would not disappoint the electorates.

Mr. Fintiri said the people of Adamawa asked him to vie for governorship because of what he described as his modest achievements. He said he gave the people a sense of belonging.

The State Secretary of PDP, Shehu Tahir, said he is not currently aware of the development, but said "Fintiri has the constitutional right to vie for the exalted office if he so wishes".

Even before the INEC's announcement of the bye election, there were insinuations that Mr. Fintiri was planning to remain in power beyond the stipulated three months as acting governor.