As political parties put the finishing touches to preparations ahead of the possible substitution of candidates and the commencement of political campaigns, the Africa Democratic Congress (ADC) has expressed confidence in the candidature of its governorship candidate in Adamawa State.

The stakeholders, comprising caretaker committee chairmen from all 21 local government areas, said Engr. Umar Suleiman was duly elected at the party’s primary conducted across the state’s 226 wards.

Speaking to journalists after the stakeholders’ meeting, the caretaker chairman of Girei Local Government Area, Alhaji Abubakar Audu, said: “All the 21 CTC chairmen and major stakeholders of our great party, ADC, passed this vote of confidence on Engr. Umar Suleiman.

“We are confident of his ability to deliver good governance that will make Adamawa work today and Adamawa work tomorrow.

“We are also confident in the leadership style of the state acting chairman of the party, Barr. Sadiq Dasin, and the entire state and local government leadership of our party,” he said.

Audu, however, debunked claims that the party intended to substitute its governorship candidate, Engr. Umar Suleiman, with Abdulrahman Haske, whom he said was never a member of the party.

According to him, “We at the stakeholders’ level here in Adamawa will kick against it because Omarana went out, campaigned, went through all the required processes and procedures, and won the primaries.”

Meanwhile, the governorship candidate defied the heavy rainfall on Saturday to interact with journalists at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Yola.

Accompanied by the Director-General of his campaign, Elder Mark Wosi, and other members of his team, Suleiman reiterated his desire to lead a state that works today and tomorrow.

The ADC flag bearer expressed appreciation for the resilience and loyalty of those who came out despite the weather.

He described the turnout as a clear sign that the people of Adamawa are tired of excuses and are ready for purposeful leadership.

“Your presence here in this rain tells me one thing,” he said. “Adamawa people are ready for change. We are ready for security, for jobs, for education, and for a government that listens.”

He noted that insecurity, youth unemployment, decaying infrastructure, and the need to revive agriculture were among the issues he would address if elected governor of the state.

He assured the people that his administration, if elected in 2027, would prioritise transparency, accountability and people-first policies that would put Adamawa back on the path of growth.

“Ours will be a government of Dokaji — a government that carries everybody along.”

He also used the interaction with journalists to address the issue of his campaign posters flooding the state capital and being pasted on government structures, thereby defacing public property.

While accepting responsibility for the actions, he noted that although the posters were not produced or distributed by his campaign office, he commended the Adamawa State Government for protecting public infrastructure and ensuring that its beautiful edifices were not defaced.

“We have accepted the administrative fine given to us.”