Yola, Adamawa State – February 27, 2026 – Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State has formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in a move that significantly bolsters the APC's dominance across Nigeria's 36 states.
The governor made the announcement during a statewide broadcast from Government House in Yola on Friday morning, confirming that he had crossed over alongside his entire cabinet, political appointees, elected local government chairmen, and numerous PDP officials in the state. This mass defection effectively hands the APC control of Adamawa's political structure and ends weeks of intense speculation about Fintiri's future political alignment.
In his address, Fintiri emphasized that the decision was driven by a commitment to the welfare and accelerated development of Adamawa's residents. "This defection is anchored on the desire to ensure the welfare and development of our people," he stated. "I urge everyone to remain steadfast and give the government the support and understanding necessary to realize the dividends of democracy."
The governor highlighted the need for closer collaboration with the federal government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, praising Tinubu's efforts to revive the national economy through policies aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda. Fintiri pledged to work hand-in-hand with federal authorities to deliver tangible results, including improved infrastructure, security, agriculture, education, and economic opportunities for the state. He described the shift as ending "years of sideline politics" for Adamawa, allowing the state to return to "mainstream politics" and access greater federal resources and project approvals.
The announcement follows recent defections by key figures in Adamawa's political landscape, including the Speaker and 15 members of the State House of Assembly, who resigned from the PDP shortly before Fintiri's move. These earlier exits, amid reports of Fintiri hosting APC leaders for iftar during Ramadan, had fueled widespread rumors of an impending crossover. Fintiri noted that his decision came after "wide consultations" with stakeholders, traditional rulers, community leaders, youth groups, and party members, framing it as a strategic choice for collective progress rather than personal gain.
With Fintiri's defection, the APC now controls 30 of Nigeria's 36 states, marking one of the most extensive consolidations of power by a single party in Nigeria's Fourth Republic. The PDP is left with just three states—Bauchi, Oyo, and Zamfara—while the Labour Party holds Anambra, the Accord Party one, and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) another. In the North East geopolitical zone, Adamawa's switch leaves Bauchi as the only remaining PDP-controlled state, with Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe already under APC governance.
The presidency welcomed the development enthusiastically. Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga described it as transforming the APC into a "juggernaut" in Adamawa and dealing a "major blow" to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, a prominent PDP figure and native of the state. Onanuga highlighted that the move strengthens national unity and positions Adamawa to benefit more directly from federal initiatives in security, infrastructure, and economic revitalization.
APC national leadership hailed the defection as a triumph for progressive governance and good leadership. Party officials expressed optimism that Fintiri's integration would enhance electoral prospects in future polls and improve service delivery in the state. Reports indicate that the governor formally collected his APC membership card at K/Wuro Ngayandi Ward in Madagali Local Government Area soon after the broadcast.
Reactions from the PDP have included expressions of disappointment, with some state executives labeling the move as betrayal amid ongoing internal challenges within the party. PDP national figures have yet to issue a comprehensive official response, though speculation persists about potential legal challenges to the defections of elected officials. In Nigeria's political context, such crossovers are frequent when governors seek better federal-state synergies.
Adamawa State, known for its ethnic diversity—including Fulani, Hausa, Chamba, Mumuye, and other groups—has historically been a competitive battleground between PDP and APC. Fintiri, first elected in 2019 and re-elected in 2023 under the PDP, built his administration around infrastructure development (including extensive road networks), education reforms, youth empowerment, and security measures against threats from Boko Haram remnants and farmer-herder conflicts. His tenure has earned recognition for tangible projects in rural areas and urban centers alike.
Analysts interpret the defection as part of a continuing pattern under President Tinubu's administration, where several opposition governors have joined the APC to leverage federal advantages such as enhanced allocations, security partnerships, and project executions. Critics argue that these shifts weaken multi-party competition and opposition oversight, while supporters view them as pragmatic steps toward national stability and development.
For Adamawa residents, the immediate implications include expectations of accelerated federal-backed projects, particularly in agriculture—leveraging the state's potential as a key food-producing region—and strengthened security frameworks in vulnerable border areas. Fintiri assured citizens that governance continuity would remain unaffected, urging unity in support of the new political direction for shared prosperity.
This development underscores the dynamic and often fluid nature of Nigerian politics, where strategic realignments frequently prioritize state-level benefits and federal alignment over longstanding party loyalties. As the country approaches future electoral cycles, including the 2027 general elections, such moves could further reshape regional power balances and influence opposition strategies nationwide.
