Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri has called on leaders in Northern Nigeria to stop attributing the region’s security challenges solely to President Bola Tinubu, urging them to take greater responsibility in finding lasting solutions.

Fintiri made the remarks on Thursday during the All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders’ engagement held in Yola, where he criticised what he described as a culture of blaming federal authorities for problems rooted within the region.

The governor said Northern leaders must move beyond political accusations and focus on addressing the factors contributing to insecurity.

According to him, similar accusations were made against former President Goodluck Jonathan during the height of the Boko Haram insurgency, despite the fact that the extremist group largely emerged from communities within Northern Nigeria.

“Why is it that Northerners always complain whenever a Southerner is the President of the country?” Fintiri asked.

He argued that insecurity should be treated as a collective challenge requiring cooperation among leaders at all levels rather than a subject of political blame.

Northern leaders must address local challenges, Fintiri says

The Adamawa governor accused some leaders in the region of avoiding accountability by shifting responsibility for governance failures and insecurity to the presidency.

Fintiri said Northern leaders should concentrate on providing effective leadership, improving social conditions and addressing issues affecting their communities.

“We, as leaders from the North, should stop running away from our problems and blaming others for our failures,” he said.

He maintained that President Tinubu had not neglected Northern Nigeria since assuming office, adding that communities in his home area of Madagali Local Government Area had not been treated unfairly by the administration.

Governor praises economic efforts, speaks against street begging

Speaking on the country’s economic situation, Fintiri said the Tinubu administration had recorded progress in its efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s economy.

He also criticised the continued practice of street begging, particularly the involvement of children, describing it as contrary to Islamic teachings and harmful to vulnerable families.

“Islam discourages begging, yet some people continue to send children from poor families to the streets to solicit alms,” he said.

The governor called for stronger interventions to support disadvantaged communities and reduce dependence on street begging.

Fintiri rallies APC ahead of 2027 elections

Addressing concerns about the APC’s strength ahead of the 2027 general elections in Adamawa State, Fintiri said the party remained open to all Nigerians regardless of ethnic or religious background.

He urged party members to remain united and avoid being influenced by rumours surrounding candidates and internal party issues.

The governor encouraged APC stakeholders to return to their local government areas, wards and polling units to mobilise support ahead of the elections.

Fintiri expressed confidence that the APC would secure victories across different levels of government in the 2027 elections.

He also warned against electoral manipulation, saying no outsider would be allowed to undermine the will of Adamawa voters.

The engagement was attended by several APC leaders, including former Adamawa Governor Umaru Bindow, Senator Binta Masi, serving lawmakers and party executives.

Background Information

Security challenges in Northern Nigeria have remained a major national issue, with communities facing threats from: Boko Haram insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, farmer-herder conflicts, Illegal armed groups

Successive administrations have faced criticism over their handling of the security challenges, while debates continue over the role of federal, state and local leaders in addressing the crisis.