All Opposition Parties in Nigeria ’ll Fizzle Out before 2027- Senator Girei
By Idun Maximus
Senator Girei
In this interview, former Senator, Abubakar Girei speaks on recent political developments in Adamawa State, the performance of Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, national politics under President Tinubu, among other issues.
Senator Girei, you’ve welcomed the opportunity to speak on local issues. How would you like to begin this discussion?
Thank you. Yes, I appreciate the focus on local matters. I’d like to start by congratulating the newly appointed emirs and chiefs across Adamawa State. I sincerely wish them a successful and peaceful tenure. It’s my hope—and prayer—that this new phase fosters peaceful coexistence among the diverse communities in our state.
I grew up knowing how deeply people from Hong and Dome longed for recognition. Now that God has granted them that, I hope they will find joy and harmony with their fellow citizens across the state. Many other traditional leaders see this as a step forward—a catalyst for development. Politically, socially, and economically, this is a major move. I commend Governor Fintiri for his boldness. As my brother, former Governor Bala Ngilari, once said: “I wish I had the words, the guts, and the courage to do the things Fintiri is doing. I don’t. It’s rare to find someone with that kind of courage.”
Though I may not agree with all his policies, I must recognise his courage. I pray this initiative contributes to lasting peace across Adamawa.
In some areas, however, the creation of chiefdoms and emirates has sparked discontent—Fufore, for example, is in the middle of a legal tussle. What’s your perspective?
That’s to be expected. No policy decision will ever satisfy 100% of the people. Disagreement is natural in a democracy. Those who are dissatisfied have every constitutional right to seek legal redress. My only appeal is that they do so peacefully. Let them take the lawful route. And when the court gives its judgment, we should all accept it in good faith. There’s no need for conflict.
How would you assess Governor Fintiri’s performance so far, especially regarding reforms and public policy?
As a stakeholder in the APC, I naturally wish it were my party in government. That said, one elder told me recently, “Whether we like it or not, Fintiri is one of the most impactful governors Adamawa has had.” Impact is subjective, of course, but what’s not subjective is what’s visible. You can clearly see his legacy, particularly in the Yola axis and beyond.
I wish my party had delivered those results so we could share the credit, but facts are facts. We are working very hard to bring the APC back to power, and if we do, we’ll build on the successes he’s recorded.
Some say flyovers and other mega projects are misplaced priorities. What’s your take?
Honestly, I don’t entirely agree that flyovers should be our top priority. In my view, education ought to come first. Since 1999—or let’s say 2003, when I first contested for governor—I’ve consistently prioritised human capital development. You can’t build a great state without investing in its people.
Education and healthcare should be the cornerstones of any serious administration. I don’t think Fintiri has done enough in the education sector. That’s just being factual. But if he chooses to leave behind a legacy of infrastructure first, that’s his prerogative. What’s important is that the projects are visible and impactful—even if one questions the cost-benefit ratio.
What about criticism that development has been too concentrated in Yola, neglecting rural areas?
I can’t speak in detail because I haven’t travelled to every part of the state. But I was recently in Mubi and used the bypass near former Governor Bindow’s house—I was told Fintiri built that road. That’s commendable.
I’ve also heard from residents of Michika and Madagali that he’s constructed four bridges that allow night-time travel. That’s not a small feat. Of course, no administration can do everything, and development is a work in progress. What matters is that a foundation has been laid. We hope his successors will build on it.
There’s concern that APC is becoming too dominant—some say it’s turning into a one-party system. Is that healthy for democracy?
It’s not ideal. But who’s to blame? Political parties are like private enterprises. Their goal is to grow and dominate the space. It’s not our job to build or rescue the opposition. If the opposition is collapsing, we can’t be held responsible.
The Constitution is clear—Sections 68 and 109 discuss the consequences of party defection. But even those provisions don’t empower the president or governors to act; it’s the role of the legislative leadership. Personally, I don’t even agree with some of those constitutional clauses. In many other democracies, defection is treated differently.
Politics is a free marketplace. People should be free to align where they feel their values and interests lie. If opposition parties want to merge or rebrand for the right reasons—to move the country forward—they might succeed. But if the motive is just to unseat Tinubu, they’ll fail.
Is President Tinubu using the EFCC as a tool to coerce politicians into the APC?
Absolutely not. The EFCC was established in 2002—I was in the Senate at the time. We had the honour of appointing Nuhu Ribadu as the first chairman, and he did an excellent job. The institution has been operating since then.
Even under Ribadu, there were allegations of political witch-hunting, but show me one that was proven in court. People often cry foul instead of organising themselves into strong, viable opposition. That’s the real issue.
After two years in office, how would you rate President Tinubu’s administration?
I’d give him a pass mark. Yes, there’s undeniable hardship. I feel it myself—imagine not being able to run your air conditioner due to electricity tariffs. That policy needs urgent review, as do those on exchange rates and fuel prices.
Still, I believe the President is listening. Security has received more funding. Agriculture has received 1.5 trillion naira through the Bank of Agriculture. That’s not small. I believe that by 2027, we’ll see significant adjustments—and the APC will remain the party to beat, especially in Adamawa.
What are your thoughts on insecurity and the call for state police?
I’ve supported state policing since 2003. Policing shouldn’t be a centralised affair. We’ve studied countries like Tanzania and Singapore—there, you find national, regional, and local police structures.
Empowering local governments to take charge of their communities will go a long way. We also need to address the root causes of insecurity—education, skills acquisition, and social reform. In our time, craft schools taught trades and life skills. Governor Nyako revived that model, attracting even Dangote. Sadly, it’s been dismantled. We must bring it back.
The student loan programme has stirred both praise and concerns. What’s your view?
I haven’t reviewed all the details, but from what I hear, many students have benefited. There are also reports of fraud, which must be thoroughly investigated. The initiative is laudable, but integrity and transparency are crucial for it to succeed.
President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State. Many call it unconstitutional. Do you agree?
The Rivers issue is complicated. It shouldn’t have escalated the way it did. The key actors behaved irresponsibly. Thankfully, the President intervened to calm tensions.
Governor Fubara’s peace declaration should have ended things, but the Assembly’s move for impeachment showed deeper issues. Declaring a state of emergency and removing a governor is unconstitutional, in my opinion. But perhaps, at that moment, there was no better option. Still, we hope for peace and that Fubara completes his term.
Lastly, the controversy involving Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has unsettled the Senate. What are your thoughts?
Some matters are best left unsaid. What happened should never have occurred. But now that it has, I hope Natasha is recalled and allowed to represent her people. The incident has cast a shadow over the Senate, and it’s important for the institution to restore its dignity and integrity.
