Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Governor Fintiri announced his defection in a statewide broadcast last Friday, stating that the decision to join the APC was driven by what he described as the need to align Adamawa State with national politics and accelerate development under the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Addressing residents during a 14-minute broadcast from the Government House, the governor said the decision followed extensive consultations and was aimed at securing long-term development for the state.
“Fellow citizens of Adamawa State, I address you today in this manner due to the magnitude of what we have at stake, the regard we have for you, and the consistent support we have always enjoyed from you,” the governor said.
“The decision to leave the PDP and join the APC was not taken lightly. It was guided by one overriding consideration: the long-term stability, development, and prosperity of Adamawa State,” he added.
The governor also called on his supporters to register with the APC across the state.
“We have structures everywhere. We are moving into the APC with all 226 wards, 21 Local Government Areas, all elected and appointed members, and indeed our energy and political machinery,” he said.
Governor Fintiri’s Political Journey
Governor Fintiri’s political career began in 2007 when he won election into the Adamawa State House of Assembly on the platform of the then Action Congress, defeating a sitting PDP lawmaker despite the party’s dominance in the state at the time.
He later rose to prominence as Speaker of the State Assembly and became acting governor after leading the impeachment of former governor Murtala Nyako for financial misconduct.
In 2019, he returned to power as governor under the PDP after defeating the incumbent, Jibrilla Bindow of the APC.
Tensions with Atiku Abubakar
Political analysts link the governor’s defection partly to his strained relationship with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, one of the most influential political figures from Adamawa.
The relationship reportedly deteriorated over disagreements over the management of the state’s political structures.
The governor was also seen aligning politically with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, a development interpreted by many observers as a challenge to former President Atiku’s influence.
Mr Atiku later dismissed the governor’s defection, suggesting that personal political interests drove it.
APC’s long courtship of Governor Fintiri
The APC had reportedly been courting the governor for several years before his eventual defection.
Investigations show that former president Muhammadu Buhari had earlier recognised Mr Fintiri with a “Best Infrastructure Governor” award, a move widely interpreted as part of efforts to build political ties.
The courtship reportedly continued under President Tinubu, who also honoured the governor with a similar award.
In 2024, the Adamawa State APC Publicity Secretary, Mohammed Abdullahi, confirmed that the party was in discussions with Fintiri regarding a possible defection.
The APC National Vice Chairman for the North-East, Mustapha Salihu, later reiterated the party’s interest in bringing the governor into its fold.
Governor Fintiri’s defection represents a significant shift in Adamawa politics, a state long regarded as a stronghold of the PDP.
However, political observers note that the move does not automatically guarantee the APC’s victory in the state.
In the 2023 governorship election, APC candidate Aisha Binani mounted a strong challenge against Mr Fintiri before the governor eventually secured re-election.
Background
Adamawa has a history of unpredictable electoral outcomes.
In 2015, former anti-corruption campaigner and current National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu contested the governorship under the PDP after being endorsed by then-President Goodluck Jonathan.
Despite the presidency’s backing, the PDP lost the election, highlighting the complex political dynamics in the state.
With the 2027 elections approaching, Governor Fintiri’s move to the APC is expected to reshape alliances and rivalries within Adamawa politics.
Analysts say the defection could strengthen the ruling party’s influence in the North-East while simultaneously triggering a reorganisation of opposition forces in the state.
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