ADAMAWA GOVERNOR FINTIRI DEFECTS TO APC

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BY JENN NOMAMIUKOR

The governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, on Friday left the Peoples Democratic Party to join the ruling All Progressives Congress, ending months of rumors about where he would go politically.

In a 14-minute broadcast from his new governor‘s office, he told everyone he had left with his whole team and all PDP officials, saying his choice was for the best interest of the people in Adamawa State.

Right after the broadcast, PDP flags were taken down from the governor‘s office and throughout the Government House.

He said, “Dear people of Adamawa State, I’m speaking to you today because of the importance of what is at stake, the respect we have for you, and the support you have always given us.”

In 2019, you gave us a big win by voting for us strongly against the current leader. In 2023, you did it again, even more powerfully, despite all the challenges. We have always been loved by you, and so has our party, the PDP. We understand the responsibility that comes with the trust you’ve given us.

The governor said the choice to join the APC along with his whole team, PDP officials, and supporters is best for the people of Adamawa State.

“We have strong networks all over the state. We are joining the APC with all 226 wards, 21 local government areas, all elected and appointed members, and our full political energy and resources to help our state, the nation, and our people. I therefore ask all our supporters to join the APC in large numbers, register enthusiastically, and prepare for a bright future that is certain.“

“Recent events in the polity demand that we take decisive and strategic decisions. There are seasons for political exigencies just as there are seasons for political expedience. We have come this far and built so much with the people that we are ready to move further to align our polity with national politics.

“It is on this basis that we have never, as a government, ventured into anything that does not grow our dear state or directly benefit our people. We have always been guided by the triple principles of consultation, legality and impact.

“As democrats, we consult with the people. As citizens, we interrogate how every decision we make aligns with extant laws; and as leaders, we weigh the impact of every decision on the state and our people.

“The decision to leave the PDP and join the APC was not taken lightly. It was not driven by personal ambition nor by convenience. It was guided by one overriding consideration: the long-term stability, development and prosperity of Adamawa State.”

Fintiri further disclosed that after wide consultations with a broad spectrum of Adamawa people, “we have resolved to politically align Adamawa State with the All Progressives Congress.”

The governor said the political alignment would enable Adamawa State to effectively support and leverage the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which, according to him, aims to transform the nation in critical sectors, including social welfare, infrastructure, housing and inclusive economic development.

“It was the late Senate President, Dr Chuba Okadigbo, who once said, ‘It takes political sagacity to know political arithmetic.’ In our case, we have been long enough in this game to know the value of our strength and the right steps to take. This isn’t elementary arithmetic; it is political geometry that places every number in its right place.

“In ideal democracies, alignments that confer mutual advantages are constant norms. Our alignment with the APC is a testament to strategic adaptability. It is sagacity in action. This is a reciprocally beneficial decision that reflects a pragmatic approach to politics — conferring electoral value while delivering democratic dividends to the people,” he stated.

Fintiri said his decision to join the APC meant the years of sideline politics were over and that Adamawa State was back in mainstream politics, “a politics that will benefit it more than ever before. It means more opportunities for the state and more stake for our people. These, for us, are the main motivations that define our calling to politics.”

Speaking to journalists, the Adamawa State chairman of the Commissioners’ Forum, Mr Aloysius Babadoke, said all the commissioners had joined the APC in the state.

“Wherever our governor goes, we are going with him because he is a trusted leader and he has the mind to develop Adamawa State and unite the people through his people-oriented policies,” he said.

The governor was registered in the APC with membership card number 001.

Before the governor decided to leave his party, 15 out of the 16 members who were elected on the PDP platform in the state House of Assembly switched sides to the APC, along with the Speaker, Bathiya Wesley.

There were rumors about the governor joining the APC as early as 2024.
These started when the Adamawa State APC Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Mohammed Abdullahi, gave an exclusive interview to Punch and said the party was trying to bring the governor over to their side.