By Muhammad Mamman
Defection Politics: Shettima Welcomes Fintiri to APC, Calls Move ‘A Reunion of Allies’
Yola, Nigeria — Nigeria’s Vice-President, Kashim Shettima, has formally welcomed Ahmadu Fintiri, the governor of Adamawa State, into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the move as a continuation of a “shared national mission”.
Speaking at a public event held at Mahmud Ribadu Square in the state capital, Yola, Shettima told supporters that Fintiri’s entry into the party should not be viewed as a new alliance, but rather a reunion of long-standing political partners.
“You are not strangers in this family,” the vice-president said, addressing the governor and his supporters. “We are partners united by a common purpose — to rebuild and reposition Nigeria.”
The event drew a large crowd of party faithful and political stakeholders, signalling a significant shift in the political landscape of the northeastern state, long seen as a competitive battleground.
Fintiri’s move to the APC is expected to strengthen the party’s foothold in the region, while also raising questions about the future of opposition politics ahead of upcoming electoral cycles.
Analysts say the defection underscores ongoing realignments within Nigeria’s political class, as leaders seek broader coalitions and influence within the ruling party.
Neither Fintiri nor his aides have publicly detailed the terms of his defection, but the development is already stirring reactions across party lines, with observers closely watching its implications for governance and party dynamics nationwide.
