AN APC Chieftain, a legal scholar and public affairs commentator, Dr. Umar D. Duhu, has called for public discourse surrounding the forthcoming Adamawa State local government elections to be guided by facts, established laws and documented procedures rather than speculation and anonymous allegations.
Duhu, in a statement sent to News Point Nigeria, titled “Facts, Not Rumours, Must Guide Discourse on Adamawa LG Elections,” expressed concern over a recent editorial published by TGNews on June 1, 2026, under the headline: “Double Game in Adamawa? Fintiri Now APC, Yet LG Chairmanship Slots Go to PDP Aspirants.” He maintained that while political commentary remains an essential component of democracy, debates should be rooted in law, verifiable timelines and official records rather than innuendo.
According to him, the election and nomination of local government chairmen and councillors in Adamawa State are governed by clearly defined constitutional and statutory provisions, not by the personal discretion of any individual.
He cited Sections 7(1) and 197(1)(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which mandate democratically elected local government councils and establish State Independent Electoral Commissions.
Duhu also referenced the Electoral Act 2022, particularly Sections 28, 29, 30 and 84, which provide timelines for election notices, nomination procedures and party primaries.
In addition, he pointed to the Adamawa State Local Government Law No. 4 of 2000, as amended, which outlines qualifications, tenure and election procedures for local government officials, as well as the Adamawa State Independent Electoral Commission (ADSIEC) Law and Guidelines regulating the issuance of election notices, sale of nomination forms, screening processes and balloting procedures.
According to the legal expert, these provisions make it impossible for any governor to unilaterally allocate chairmanship positions.
“Under these laws, no Governor, individually or otherwise, can unilaterally ‘hand over’ chairmanship slots,” he stated.
He explained that candidates emerge through party primaries conducted in line with party constitutions and ADSIEC guidelines before undergoing verification of credentials, payment of statutory fees and compliance checks by the electoral commission.
Addressing concerns over the timing of recent political developments in the state, Duhu argued that legal timelines remain decisive.
He noted that for the 2026 local government elections, ADSIEC had already published its Notice of Election and Timetable during the first quarter of the year, fixing dates for party primaries, submission of candidate lists through Form CF001 and publication of candidates’ names.
According to him, all nomination processes for chairmanship and councillorship positions had been concluded before the formal defection of Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri to the APC was announced.
Invoking the legal principle lex non cogit ad impossibilia, meaning the law does not compel the impossible, Duhu argued that once ADSIEC’s timetable became operational and primaries were concluded, the legal framework in force at the time governed the process.
He maintained that any attempt to alter eligibility criteria or party sponsorship arrangements midway through the process would require amendments to the Adamawa Local Government Law by the State House of Assembly, followed by the issuance of a fresh ADSIEC timetable.
“Absent such amendment, ADSIEC is bound to proceed on the basis of submissions already made and validated,” he stated.
Duhu also criticised the reliance on anonymous sources in the TGNews report, noting that allegations of wrongdoing against public officials must be supported by verifiable evidence rather than unnamed claims.
He observed that the report relied heavily on references to “party insiders speaking on condition of anonymity” and suggestions that individuals were “allegedly being positioned.”
Citing Section 24 of the Cybercrimes Act 2015 and established principles of defamation law, he argued that accusations suggesting a public official is orchestrating illegality must be backed by tangible evidence such as ADSIEC documents, court filings, party primary results or official correspondence.
“If any APC aspirant was denied participation, the remedy lies in a petition to the APC National or State Appeal Committee under the APC Constitution, a pre-election suit before the Federal High Court under Section 84(14) of the Electoral Act 2022, or a complaint to ADSIEC with documentary proof,” he said.
He warned that allegations made through the media without supporting documentation could create unnecessary tension and expose media organisations to legal liability.
On the issue of party discipline, Duhu argued that matters relating to alleged anti-party activities or candidate substitution fall within the internal mechanisms of the APC.
He cited Articles 20 and 21 of the APC Constitution 2022, which provide channels for dispute resolution through the State Caretaker Committee, National Working Committee and National Reconciliation Committee.
According to him, public attacks and media exchanges do little to advance the interests of the party, while documented petitions and established dispute-resolution processes remain the appropriate avenues for addressing grievances.
In his conclusion, Duhu stressed that both Governor Fintiri’s defection and the forthcoming local government elections should be evaluated within the framework of the Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, the Adamawa State Local Government Law and official ADSIEC records.
He maintained that Nigerians deserve discussions grounded in gazetted laws, published election timetables and authentic primary election results rather than anonymous speculation.
The legal scholar therefore urged TGNews to either publish the ADSIEC forms, party primary reports or court processes supporting its claims, or retract what he described as unverified allegations.
“Journalism that informs rather than inflames remains the bedrock of accountable democracy,” Duhu stated.