Jane Salihu
Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, has formally defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms as a major factor behind his decision.
Fintiri, who visited the APC National Secretariat in Abuja on Wednesday, described his move from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a “home return,” saying he had fully aligned with the ruling party to contribute meaningfully to its programmes and electoral success.
The governor said he was at the secretariat to pay a courtesy call on the National Chairman and members of the National Working Committee (NWC), pledging his loyalty and readiness to work for the party’s victory in the next general election. He assured the leadership that he would deliver electoral value to the APC.
Explaining his decision, Fintiri noted that while President Tinubu’s microeconomic reforms were initially challenging for many Nigerians, the long-term benefits had begun to manifest. According to him, the reforms have placed the country on the right trajectory and restored hope that there is “light at the end of the tunnel.”
He expressed optimism that the president deserves a second term in 2027, adding that the administration’s Renewal Agenda has started yielding positive results for the economy and the nation at large.
Welcoming the Adamawa governor, APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, described Fintiri as a seasoned political figure whose contributions have significantly shaped politics in the North-East. He said the governor’s entry into the party would further strengthen the APC’s base in the region.
Yilwatda praised Fintiri’s record in Adamawa State, particularly in project execution and development initiatives, noting that his progressive ideals align with the APC’s vision and the president’s Renewal Agenda.
On the prospects of the opposition in the 2027 presidential election, the chairman maintained that it was not the responsibility of the ruling party to organise its rivals. He said the APC would remain focused on presenting its scorecard to Nigerians while continuing to consolidate on its electoral gains across the country.
He also disclosed that several ministers had visited the party secretariat earlier in the day to foster stronger synergy between the party and the executive arm of government. According to him, the meeting was aimed at reviewing policy implementation and ensuring that the administration fulfills the social contract it has with Nigerians
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