Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, the Governor of Adamawa State, has officially left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The announcement was made during a statewide address from the state capital, Yola, on Friday, February 27, 2026.
Governor Fintiri explained that the decision was made in the “best developmental interest of Adamawa State and its people”, emphasizing that joining the ruling party would enable better access to federal resources, strengthen collaboration with the central government, and accelerate growth in infrastructure, social welfare, and economic programs.
The move was not limited to the governor alone. His entire cabinet, key PDP officials, and state-level political machinery also defected to the APC, giving the ruling party a significant boost in Adamawa. Several lawmakers from the Adamawa State House of Assembly, including the Speaker Bathiya Wesley and his deputy Buba Jijiwa, resigned from the PDP earlier in the week, signaling a broader shift in the state’s political landscape.
Fintiri’s defection strengthens APC’s dominance nationwide, as the party now controls 30 of Nigeria’s 36 states, leaving the PDP with only a handful of governorships. Observers also note that the move is part of a growing trend of political realignments in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections, as politicians across the country reassess their affiliations and alliances.
The PDP has not yet issued a detailed response to the defections, but insiders suggest that the party faces internal challenges that contributed to the mass departures in Adamawa. Meanwhile, the APC has welcomed Fintiri and his team, describing the defection as a “strategic step toward stronger governance and unity.”
