Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri has alleged that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar colluded with the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Aisha Binani, and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to prevent his reelection during the 2023 governorship election in the state. The governor made the accusation while speaking on recent political developments, declaring that those actions would not go unanswered.
Fintiri claimed that the alleged alliance was aimed at subverting the will of the people of Adamawa State by manipulating the electoral process in favor of the opposition. He stated that the events surrounding the 2023 election were not accidental but the result of deliberate coordination among powerful political actors seeking to remove him from office.
According to the governor, Atiku, who is a prominent figure from Adamawa State and the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general election, worked against his interests at the state level. Fintiri suggested that despite belonging to the same political party, Atiku supported moves that endangered his chances of returning for a second term.
The governor further alleged that Aisha Binani, the APC candidate in the governorship race, was central to the plan. He accused her campaign of working closely with certain INEC officials to manipulate results and influence the collation process in a manner inconsistent with electoral laws and democratic principles.
Fintiri referenced the controversial declaration of Binani as governor-elect by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) during the collation of results. That announcement was later nullified by INEC headquarters in Abuja, which described the action as unlawful and suspended the REC involved in the exercise.
The governor argued that the incident validated his long-held position that there was an orchestrated attempt to overturn the election through illegal means. He maintained that the eventual decision by INEC to conduct a supplementary election and the final declaration of his victory reflected the true outcome of the vote.
Fintiri said the experience exposed deep-rooted political intrigues and the extent to which some actors were willing to go to achieve their ambitions. He described the alleged actions as a betrayal of trust and an affront to democratic norms.
Reacting to the developments, the governor warned that political actions have consequences, adding that what transpired in 2023 would shape future political engagements in the state. He stated that those who worked against his reelection should not expect political goodwill from him going forward.
“It is payback time,” Fintiri said, signaling a hardening of political lines ahead of future contests in Adamawa State. He did not provide specific details on what form the payback would take but indicated it would be within the bounds of politics.
The accusations are likely to heighten political tensions in Adamawa State, where rival factions remain divided following the closely contested election. The 2023 governorship race in the state was one of the most contentious in the country, marked by legal disputes, accusations of manipulation, and national attention.
Neither Atiku Abubakar nor Aisha Binani has officially responded to Fintiri’s latest claims. INEC has also not issued a fresh statement regarding the governor’s remarks.
Political observers say the comments reflect ongoing rifts within the PDP in Adamawa State and could influence alignments ahead of future elections. They also note that the lingering disputes from the 2023 polls underscore broader concerns about electoral integrity and internal party cohesion in Nigeria’s democratic process.
As political actors continue to trade accusations, the situation in Adamawa State remains a focal point in discussions about electoral reforms and accountability, with many Nigerians watching closely to see how the fallout from the 2023 election will shape the state’s political landscape.
