Bindow asks for forgiveness, says governing Adamawa has been tough

Governor Umar Bindow

Governor Mohammed Jibrilla Bindow has reiterated that leading Adamawa State has been a difficult task and he believed he might have wronged some people from whom he needs forgiveness.

Giving what could be termed valedictory speeches at separate events in Yola, Bindow asked that he be forgiven of all his wrongs in the spirit of the current Ramadan season.

Bindow who has been the state governor since 2015, failed his reelection bid in March and will, therefore, be quitting government this month.

At a ceremony in the Banquet Hall of the Government House where he launched the new Adamawa State Health Insurance Scheme, Bindow said, “I do know, of course, and many have acknowledged that Adamawa is a complex state to govern. It has not been easy, but I have tried my best these past years.”

The governor who performed the launching ceremony with his deputy, Engr Martins Babale, said one of the dearest things he would miss after handing power over on May 29, would be the working relationship with the deputy.

“He has been a wonderful person to work with, he has been like an elder brother, he has been my mentor from whom I have derived much value,” he said of Martins Babale.

Bindow had earlier described the state Commissioner of Health and driving force of the state’s new health insurance policy, Dr Fatima Atiku Abubakar, as an iron lady who had brought much purpose and success to health delivery in the state.

Earlier on Monday, while inaugurating the state chief judge of the Customary Court, James Balami, Governor Bindow had got many thinking when he said the ceremony might mean the last time in his life that he would meet with most of the people in attendance.

“I may be seeing most of you for the last time. Not just because I am leaving government but as a mortal, one could die any time,” he said.

Adding that the overall interest of Adamawa State had always been his focus, Bindow expressed the hope that the incoming government would do its best for the general good of the people of the state.