…Says Adamawa ‘back to mainstream politics’
Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, of Adamawa State, has formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), declaring that the state is now “back to mainstream politics”.
In a statewide broadcast delivered yesterday from the Government House in Yola, Fintiri confirmed that members of his cabinet and the entire PDP structure in the state had moved with him to the APC, effectively ending days of speculation over his political future.
The governor said the decision followed extensive consultations and was guided by the long-term stability, growth and prosperity of Adamawa, rather than personal ambition. According to him, aligning with the federal government would accelerate development and broaden opportunities for the people.
“This alignment means more opportunities for the state and more stake for our people,” Fintiri said, adding that the era of “sideline politics” was over.
He explained that joining the ruling party would enable Adamawa to better leverage the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda of President Bola Tinubu, particularly in infrastructure, housing, social welfare and economic development.
Quoting late former Senate President Chuba Okadigbo, Fintiri described his defection as an act of “political sagacity”. “This isn’t elementary arithmetic; it is political geometry that places every number in its right place”, he said, portraying the move as a strategic and mutually beneficial realignment.
The governor assured residents that his administration’s development programmes — including infrastructure expansion, youth and women empowerment, job creation, scholarships and social welfare initiatives — would continue without interruption.
Fintiri also disclosed that Adamawa’s full political structure across its 21 local government areas and 226 wards would transition into the APC, urging supporters to register massively in the ruling party.
His defection follows a wave of resignations earlier in the week by 15 members of the Adamawa State House of Assembly, including Speaker Bathiya Wesley and Deputy Speaker Buba Jijiwa, who cited the lingering crisis within the PDP as the reason for their exit.
With Fintiri’s departure, the PDP is now left with only three serving governors nationwide.
