Umaru Fintiri has announced his defection from the People Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), marking a significant political shift in Adamawa state. The governor made the announcement in a statewide broadcast on Friday, confirming that he had formally left the PDP for the APC.
Fintiri disclosed that he defected alongside all members of his cabinet, political appointees, and elected local government chairmen, signalling a sweeping realignment of the state's political leadership.
According to the governor, the decision was taken in the interest of the people of Adamawa State and national unity. He stressed the need for stronger alignment with the Federal Government to accelerate development priorities across the state.
The defection comes days after the Speaker of the Adamawa State House of Assembly, Wesley Bathiya, resigned his membership of the PDP along with 14 other lawmakers.
Bathiya announced the decision during plenary on Wednesday, where he presented letters of resignation from the affected legislators.
After concluding legislative proceedings, the Speaker called for order and read the letters of withdrawal one after another, formally confirming their exit from the ruling party.
Mahmud Kallamu, chairman of the House Committee on Information and one of the defecting lawmakers, described the move as strategic, suggesting it was aimed at repositioning the lawmakers politically.
Meanwhile, an APC lawmaker, speaking on the sidelines, said the party would welcome the defectors should they decide to formally join its ranks.
