News Rendezvous

The recent launch of a political book chronicling the events surrounding the 2023 Adamawa State governorship election has sparked a sharp war of words between its author, Solomon Kumangar, and Dr. Umar Ardo, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate in the election.

The book, Fintiri: The Man They Could Not Stop, written by Kumangar, documents the political developments, legal battles, and electoral dynamics that culminated in the victory of Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri in the 2023 polls.Controversy erupted after Ardo took to social media to criticise the publication, suggesting that a more fitting title would be “Fintiri: The Man They Made Governor,” a comment widely interpreted as questioning the legitimacy of the Governor’s emergence.

Reacting in a statement issued on Tuesday, Kumangar, a former Permanent Secretary in the Adamawa State Ministry of Information and Strategy, dismissed Ardo’s remarks as politically motivated and described him as a “failed politician” whose influence, he said, does not translate into electoral success.“This man has been contesting elections for decades without winning,” Kumangar stated. “If failure was a person, it is Umar Ardo.”Kumangar challenged Ardo to demonstrate his grassroots strength by sponsoring a candidate for a councillorship position in Kojoli or any other part of the state, arguing that political relevance must be proven through elections rather than online commentary.

Defending the substance of his book, Kumangar maintained that the publication is a factual narrative of the unfolding events of the 2023 election, rather than a personal tribute to the Governor. He urged critics to engage the content with verifiable facts.“I have written what happened. If there are inaccuracies, they should be challenged with facts, not social media insults,” he said.

Addressing claims that Governor Fintiri was installed by political “kingmakers,” Kumangar rejected the assertion, insisting that the Governor’s victory was the result of popular support and lawful electoral processes.“I challenge anyone to name the person who made Fintiri governor,” he added.

Dr. Ardo, a long-time critic of the Fintiri administration, has consistently questioned the political process that produced the current government. However, political observers note that Kumangar’s response represents one of the strongest public defenses yet of the Governor’s 2023 electoral mandate following the release of the book.

The exchange highlights deepening political divisions in Adamawa State, as competing narratives continue to emerge around the events and outcomes of the 2023 governorship election.