By Muhammad Mamman
Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress, marking a major political realignment in Adamawa State.
Fintiri made the declaration on Friday morning during a meeting with members of the State Executive Council, describing the move as a “strategic decision taken in the overriding interest of Adamawa people”.
The governor said consultations with political stakeholders, community leaders and supporters informed his decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the platform under which he won two terms in office, and join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“This decision was not taken lightly,” Fintiri told council members, according to officials present at the meeting. “It follows wide consultations and careful reflection on the future of our state.”
The announcement is expected to reshape the political landscape in Adamawa, long considered a battleground state in Nigeria’s north-east. Analysts say the governor’s defection could alter party structures ahead of future electoral contests and trigger a wave of alignments across local government areas.
While immediate reactions from PDP leaders were not available, senior APC figures in the state welcomed the move, describing it as a “significant boost” to the party’s strength in the region.
Fintiri’s switch adds to a growing list of high-profile defections in Nigeria’s fluid political environment, where shifting alliances often redefine power balances at both state and national levels.
More details are expected to emerge as party officials from both sides convene emergency meetings in response to the development.
