The Adamawa State government swore in 21 newly elected local government chairmen on Monday. The chairmen, all men, were elected in the council election held on Saturday, July 13, across the state’s 21 local government areas.
In a significant move towards gender balance, each chairman was elected alongside a female vice chairperson. This initiative aligns with Governor Ahmadu Fintiri’s directive to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to select running mates of the opposite sex for the council poll. Governor Fintiri, who leads the state with a female Deputy Governor, Professor Kaletapwa Farauta, emphasized this gender balance in leadership.
The election resulted in an all-PDP victory, as the main opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), did not present any candidates. The swearing-in ceremony took place at the Mahmud Ribadu Square in Yola, officiated by the state Chief Judge, Hapsat Abdulrahman.
Suleiman Gankuma, the newly elected Chairman of Toungo Council Area, spoke on behalf of all the chairmen, promising not to disappoint the party.
Governor Fintiri, while congratulating the new officials, emphasized the importance of their roles in grassroots democracy. “You must continue to win by discharging your duties responsibly. You must be at your duty post whenever your people desire you. This isn’t a part-time job. Your people must have access to you as much as possible at all times,” he said.
