Yola, Adamawa State – February 27, 2026 – Twenty-two Commissioners and Special Advisers in Adamawa State have formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), aligning themselves fully with Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri following his own crossover to the party earlier the same day.
The defections were announced during a press conference and related statements on Friday, coinciding with the governor's statewide broadcast where he declared his move to the APC. The mass shift includes members of the State Executive Council and the governor's Special Advisers, effectively transferring key executive structures in Adamawa to the APC.
Chairman of the Commissioners’ Forum, Alloucious Babadoke, spoke on behalf of the 22 executive council members, declaring their "total loyalty and commitment" to Governor Fintiri's administration, now rebranded under the APC banner. Babadoke described the decision as a collective endorsement of the governor's leadership, which he said had positioned Adamawa as a "developmental model" in the North East region.
"On behalf of the 22 executive council members, I declare our total loyalty and commitment to the fresh air administration by joining the APC," Babadoke stated. "The commissioners supported the governor’s political decisions because his leadership has positioned the state as a developmental model."
Commissioner for Information, James Iliya, reinforced the commitment by pledging to mobilize supporters statewide for APC registration drives. He emphasized readiness to engage communities and ensure broad participation in building the party's base in Adamawa.
Separately, the Forum of Special Advisers issued a statement signed by its Chairman, Bala Jada, announcing their resignation from the PDP and defection to the APC. Jada explained that the move followed "wide consultations" with diverse stakeholders, including community leaders, youth groups, women’s associations, and professional bodies across the state.
"The decision was not driven by hostility but was a forward-looking step taken after reflection, consultations, and conviction," Jada noted. The group expressed appreciation to the people of Adamawa for their ongoing support and vowed to intensify grassroots mobilization to swell APC membership ranks.
The defectors highlighted that the political realignment would enhance Adamawa's representation and influence at the national level, allowing better access to federal resources, infrastructure projects, and policy collaborations under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda.
This development builds on Governor Fintiri's earlier formal registration with the APC on Friday, as reported by various outlets. The governor had announced in his broadcast that he was moving to the APC alongside his entire cabinet, political appointees, elected local government chairmen, and PDP officials statewide, citing the need to end "sideline politics" and accelerate development through stronger federal alignment.
The defections come amid a series of related shifts in Adamawa's political landscape. Earlier reports indicated that the Speaker and 15 members of the State House of Assembly had also left the PDP, further consolidating APC control over state institutions. With these moves, the APC now holds sway over the executive, legislative, and key advisory structures in Adamawa.
Nationally, the governor's defection and the accompanying executive realignment have boosted the APC's dominance, giving it control of 30 out of Nigeria's 36 states. The PDP is left with only three—Bauchi, Oyo, and Zamfara—while smaller parties hold the remainder. The presidency welcomed the change, with Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, describing it as a "major blow" to opposition figures and a step toward greater national unity and development focus.
Adamawa, a diverse state with significant agricultural potential and strategic location in the North East, has seen Fintiri's administration prioritize infrastructure (roads and bridges), education reforms, security enhancements against lingering threats, and youth empowerment programs. The new APC alignment is expected to unlock additional federal support for these initiatives, including agriculture interventions and security partnerships.
Political observers note that such defections reflect pragmatic strategies by state leaders to align with the ruling party for better resource access and electoral advantages. While some PDP loyalists expressed disappointment, viewing the moves as opportunistic, supporters argue they serve state interests amid federal opposition dynamics.
The defecting officials assured continuity in governance, urging calm among citizens and promising intensified efforts to deliver dividends of democracy through the APC platform. Further details on membership registration drives and official party documentation are anticipated in the coming days.
This realignment underscores the fluid nature of Nigerian politics, where executive loyalty often drives broader party shifts, particularly as preparations for the 2027 general elections gain momentum.
