Admin I Friday, February 27.26
YOLA, Nigeria – In a move that has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s political landscape, the Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Governor made the bombshell announcement during a statewide broadcast on Friday, effectively handing over the home state of former Vice President and PDP chieftain, Atiku Abubakar, to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ruling party.
Governor Fintiri did not move alone. In what appears to be a meticulously coordinated exit, the Governor announced that his entire cabinet, state lawmakers, and key PDP officials across the state have joined him in the APC.
This mass migration effectively dismantles the PDP’s infrastructure in Adamawa, fortifying the APC as an undisputed “juggernaut” in the North-East state.
Explaining the rationale behind his decision, Fintiri stated that his defection was motivated by the progress of his constituents rather than partisan loyalty.
”This decision was taken in the developmental interest of the people of Adamawa State,” the Governor declared, suggesting that alignment with the center is necessary for the state’s continued growth.
The timing of this defection—with the next presidential election cycle less than a year away—represents a devastating blow to Atiku Abubakar.
For years, Adamawa has served as Atiku’s primary political fortress. However, with the Governor, the legislature, and the local party apparatus now wearing the broom of the APC, the veteran presidential hopeful finds himself politically homeless in his own backyard.
Political analysts suggest that while Atiku remains a national figure, his lack of a solid home base complicates his standing. With his former associates now bolstering the APC’s ranks, many believe the time has come for the former Vice President to reassess his long-standing political ambitions.
The mood in Yola suggests a shift in loyalty. Critics have been quick to point out that if a candidate cannot secure the support of their home state, their national viability is significantly diminished.
As the APC cements its status as an Adamawa juggernaut, the pressure is mounting on Atiku to consider a graceful exit from the political stage—perhaps to his well-known secondary residence in Dubai—marking the end of an era in Nigerian politics.
