By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa
The political landscape of Adamawa State has been shaken by a mass defection from the ruling party. The Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Wesley Bathiya, along with 14 other lawmakers, have officially resigned their membership from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). This dramatic move has intensified widespread speculation that Governor Umaru Fintiri is preparing to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The mass resignation, announced during a plenary session, is seen by political observers as a calculated manoeuvre to pave the way for the governor’s anticipated party switch. Insiders suggest the coordinated action is designed to consolidate political structures and ensure a seamless transition for the governor ahead of the 2027 general elections.
This development follows an exclusive report by SaharaReporters last week, which revealed that the APC had postponed its planned state congresses in Adamawa. The decision was widely interpreted as a strategic concession to accommodate Governor Fintiri and his substantial political network, effectively clearing a path for his entry into the ruling party without internal opposition.
The postponement had already sparked debate among APC loyalists, with some questioning if internal democracy was being sidelined for a high-profile defection.
With the Speaker and a majority bloc now exiting the PDP, the balance of power in the 25-member Assembly has shifted decisively. The House is now effectively under APC control.
Following the announcement, the political allegiance of only one member remains unclear. Build Bauna, the representative for Lamurde constituency, was neither visibly present nor heard from during the plenary proceedings, leaving his political stance amid the sweeping realignment open to question.
Political analysts describe the situation as a near-total collapse of the PDP’s structure within the state legislature. This mass defection is viewed as the strongest signal yet that Governor Fintiri’s anticipated move to the APC is all but finalized.
While official confirmation from the governor’s office was not available at the time of filing this report, sources close to both the governor and the APC leadership insist that the unfolding events are part of a carefully orchestrated political recalibration. This realignment, they say, is set to redefine the power dynamics in Adamawa State in the months to come.
