From Tom Garba, Yola
A senior official in the Adamawa State Ministry of Information and Strategy has lodged a formal complaint with Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, accusing top civil service officials of conspiring to deny her confirmation as substantive Director of Information in favour of a junior colleague.
In a pre-action notice letter dated around early February 2026 and signed by her lawyer, G. C. Adikwu Esq., Hussaina Yusuf Tanko claimed she is the most senior Information Officer in the ministry and has been acting as Director of Information since January 7, 2026, following the retirement of the previous director, Mr. Pryan M. Labba.
Tanko, who joined the Adamawa State Post Primary Schools Management Board on December 20, 2001 (confirmed on June 24, 2004), transferred her service to the Ministry of Information and Strategy on April 23, 2014. She argued that she rose through the ranks on merit and is duly qualified for substantive appointment without any disqualifying factor.
The complaint named Prince Abubakar Umar Maiha (Permanent Secretary, Civil Service Commission), Mr. Oliver Gani (Permanent Secretary, acting for the Head of Service), and Isa Shehu Ardo (Head of Service, Adamawa State) as allegedly conspiring to block her confirmation. They are accused of preferring Rhoda Rihanatu Aji, described as a junior officer in the ministry.
According to the letter, Oliver Gani wrote a letter (Ref: HCS/8/32/VOL.1/147, dated January 26, 2026) to the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Strategy, claiming a “step down” exercise on Tanko’s promotion progression made Aji her senior. The letter allegedly forwarded a request for clarification on seniority between the two.
Tanko’s legal team dismissed this as “completely false and misleading,” stating no such step-down applied because the relevant circular (Ref: CSC/009/I/218, dated October 30, 2019, referencing an earlier 2014 circular) on transfers with special salaries did not exist at the time of her 2014 transfer and cannot apply retrospectively. They argued its use was mala fide and intended to mislead the commissioner.
The letter further contended that Aji joined the Adamawa State Polytechnic in 2007 and left in 2011 to take a fresh appointment in the Ministry of Information and Strategy—not a transfer or “merger” of service as allegedly claimed by Gani.
The civil service scheme, they submitted, recognizes only transfers (as Tanko did) or fresh appointments (as Aji did), not “merger of service,” which is unknown to Adamawa’s rules.
Even if “merger” equated to transfer, Aji could not be senior, as she joined service later (2007) than Tanko (2001).
The complaint highlighted additional alleged maneuvers, including selective promotions: Aji reportedly received letters advancing her from Level 13 to 16 via the Civil Service Commission, while Tanko (promoted from Level 14 to 15) was asked to return hers under threat. No promotions occurred in the ministry since 2019, except those favoring Aji to project her as senior.
Tanko accused the named officials of abusing public office for selfish interests, risking damage to Governor Fintiri’s administration’s image.
She demanded confirmation as substantive Director of Information, citing her seniority, acting role, and lack of justifiable disqualification. The letter included attached documents (appointment letters, confirmations, transfer approvals) for verification and warned of potential litigation if unresolved.
Copies were sent to the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Strategy, the Speaker of the Adamawa State House of Assembly, the Chairman of the House Committee on Public Petitions, and the Chief of Staff to the Governor.
This development highlights ongoing tensions in Adamawa’s civil service over appointments, seniority, and adherence to transfer/promotion rules amid broader administrative reforms in the state. The governor’s office has not yet issued a public response to the allegations.
