Adamawa LG Chairman Dies Months After Predecessor’s Death

The Chairman of Fufore Local Government Area in Adamawa State, Yahya Saidu, has died, barely 18 months after his predecessor, Shuaibu Babas, passed away while serving in the same office.

Saidu reportedly died on Friday according to information made available to Politics Nigeria.

His death was confirmed on Saturday by Aliyu Wakili, a member of the House of Representatives representing the Fufore/Song Federal Constituency, in a condolence message shared on Facebook.

The news has thrown the local government into mourning, with political associates, community members and residents expressing grief over the loss of the council chairman.

Wakili described Saidu’s death as a major loss to Fufore and Adamawa State.

He also offered prayers for the deceased and his family, asking Allah to grant him eternal rest and give those he left behind the strength to endure the loss.

“His passing is a great loss to the people of Fufore and Adamawa State at large,” Wakili stated.

He added: “May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings, accept his good deeds, grant him Aljannatul Firdaus, and grant his family, friends, associates, and the entire people of Fufore the strength and patience to bear this irreparable loss.”

The lawmaker’s message has added to the tributes from people mourning the late chairman, whose death comes at a difficult time for the local government.

Saidu’s passing has also drawn attention to the death of his predecessor, Babas, who died in office on April 23, 2025.

The two deaths, occurring within approximately 18 months, have renewed conversations among residents about the sudden loss of two successive leaders of the same council.

Although the circumstances surrounding Saidu’s death were not provided in the condolence statement, the announcement has prompted expressions of sympathy across the area.

Residents and political associates are now faced with another period of mourning following the loss of a serving local government chairman.

The death of a council chairman is a significant development for the local government, given the responsibilities attached to the office.

The chairman heads the local council’s executive arm and plays a role in coordinating local administration and delivering services to communities.

Fufore is one of the local government areas in Adamawa State, northeastern Nigeria.

Its council leadership is responsible for local governance and addressing the needs of residents across its communities.

The loss of two successive chairmen within a relatively short period has therefore become a major talking point among people familiar with the area’s political affairs.

The development has also revived memories of the uncertainty that followed Babas’ death in April 2025.

His passing created a vacancy in the council’s leadership and led to discussions over who should take over the position.

On May 5, 2025, Peace Samson Audu, who was the vice chairman, was sworn in as the substantive chairperson of Fufore Local Government Area by the Adamawa State Government.

Her emergence followed weeks of debate over the succession process and marked a historic moment for the council, as she became its first elected female chairperson.

However, further details about the circumstances of Saidu’s death and the arrangements for his burial were not included in the initial announcement.

Saidu’s death has also prompted reflections on the uncertainty of public life.

Abu-Taqiyah Zumo, a political commentator in Adamawa State, addressed the unusual circumstance of two chairmen of the same local government dying within a relatively short period.

“The deaths of Hon. Babas and Hon. Yaya Saidu—both Chairmen of the same Fufore Local Government, one after the other—are a coincidence that is not just shocking, but brutally sobering,” Zumo remarked in a Facebook statement.

He further reflected on the temporary nature of political office, noting that public positions do not protect their occupants from the realities of life and death.

“It reminds us that the chair remains, but the occupant is gone; that power is transient, life is fragile, and death is no respecter of position or ambition,” he said.

He concluded his reflection with a reminder that the value of public service goes beyond the titles held by those in office.

“Today you are called ‘Executive Chairman’ and tomorrow you are called ‘late.’ Indeed, we came with nothing, we will leave with nothing, and what will speak for us at the end is not the title we held, but the lives we touched”, Zumo added.

Meanwhile, prayers and tributes have continued to pour in from political associates, community leaders and residents across Adamawa State.

Many have called for prayers for the late chairman, while extending their condolences to his family, friends and supporters.

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