By Adekunle Oluwafunmilayo
Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State has formally announced his defection from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the move as a strategic decision taken in the best interest of the state and its people
The governor made the announcement during a statewide broadcast on Friday in Yola, saying the decision followed extensive consultations across the state and was informed by the need to politically align Adamawa with the federal government to unlock greater development opportunities.
Fintiri, who was first elected in 2019 and re-elected in 2023, thanked the electorate for their continued trust, noting that his administration remains mindful of the “moral burden” of the mandate freely given by the people.
“We have never ventured into anything that does not grow our dear state or directly benefit our people,” the governor said, citing achievements in security, infrastructure, healthcare, education, youth and women empowerment, as well as the creation of new chiefdoms and districts.
He explained that joining the APC would better position Adamawa to leverage the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly in infrastructure development, housing, social welfare and inclusive economic growth.
According to Fintiri, the defection was not motivated by personal ambition or political convenience but by what he described as “one overriding consideration: the long-term stability, development and prosperity of Adamawa State.”
The governor further disclosed that his entire political structure would move with him into the APC, including party executives across the state’s 226 wards and 21 local government areas, as well as elected and appointed officials.
“We are moving as a collective, with the required political strength and the numbers that confer value,” he said, urging supporters to register en masse with the APC and prepare for what he described as a “guaranteed future.”
Characterising the move as a strategic realignment rather than a break, Fintiri quoted late Senate President Chuba Okadigbo on the importance of political sagacity, describing the decision as “political geometry that places every number in its right place.”
He added that the alignment signals an end to what he termed years of “sideline politics,” positioning Adamawa within mainstream national politics to attract increased federal collaboration and investment.
Reaffirming his administration’s agenda, the governor pledged continued expansion of infrastructure, schools and hospitals; sustained youth and women empowerment; job creation; scholarships and bursaries; and policies to strengthen unity and peaceful coexistence across the state.
“This is more than a promise. It is a sacred covenant,” Fintiri said, assuring residents that the change in political platform would not affect his commitment to service delivery.
The defection, observed by The Guardian, marks a significant shift in Adamawa’s political landscape and is expected to reshape party dynamics in the state ahead of future electoral cycles.
