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From Billy Graham Abel, Yola
Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri has declared that his return to the All Progressives Congress (APC) should not be misconstrued as a defection, but rather a homecoming and strategic political realignment aimed at strengthening Adamawa State.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting attended by legacy APC members and his core political allies, the governor described himself as one of the founding fathers of the party, insisting that his decision to rejoin the APC was rooted in history, conviction and shared progressive ideals.
“This is not a defection in the conventional sense,” Fintiri told party faithful. “It is a return to a political family whose ideals and founding principles align with my vision for governance and development.”
The governor, who recently parted ways with the People Democratic Party (PDP) alongside his political structure and members of his administration, said the move represents continuity rather than rupture. According to him, his political journey with the APC dates back to its formative years and his re-entry into the fold is a deliberate effort to consolidate forces committed to the advancement of Adamawa.
He stressed that the realignment was driven by the need to promote unity, consolidate political strength and reposition the state for greater development, dismissing suggestions that his return was motivated by personal ambition.
Fintiri reassured long-standing members of the APC that his arrival would not displace or overshadow them. Instead, he described the development as a harmonisation process designed to build a formidable and cohesive political front. “We are here to work together. Justice, fairness and inclusivity will guide our integration. Leadership must be anchored on equity and mutual respect,” he said, pledging discipline and maturity in the ongoing merger of structures.
The governor called on his supporters to embrace the culture and values of their new political family, urging loyalty to party leadership at all levels. He added that the renewed alliance between legacy members and new entrants would significantly boost the APC’s prospects in future elections. Expressing confidence in the party’s electoral strength, he said a united APC in Adamawa would deliver overwhelming victories for the President and all APC candidates in forthcoming polls.
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He commended President Tinubu and the National Security Adviser for their supportive roles in ensuring what he described as a seamless and peaceful transition. He assured the party’s national leadership of his unalloyed loyalty and commitment.
Highlighting his administration’s performance record, the governor pointed to positive ratings by international organisations that have ranked Adamawa among the country’s top-performing sub national governments. He credited the achievements to the collective support of the people and said the new political alignment would further accelerate development. Describing the moment as the dawn of a new political chapter for Adamawa, Fintiri urged party members across wards and local government areas to convene grassroots meetings to deepen unity and expand political engagement.
“Only through cohesion and purposeful leadership can Adamawa continue to thrive,” he said.
In his remarks, the APC National Vice Chairman (North-East), Salisu Mustapha, described the gathering as a defining moment in the state’s political history and commended the governor for moving his structure into the APC.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Muktar Maiha, characterised the meeting as momentous, expressing optimism that Adamawa possesses the electoral strength to secure victory for the APC in future contests.
Also speaking, the State APC chairman appreciated Governor Fintiri and the National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu for ensuring a smooth transition, assuring the governor of the party’s loyalty and full support.
In his welcome address, the Secretary to the State Government, Auwal Tukur, said the decision followed extensive consultations with stakeholders across the state, noting that the people of Adamawa continue to look up to the Governor for leadership and direction.
With the latest political shift, observers said the APC’s landscape in Adamawa had been fundamentally altered, setting the stage for a redefined contest ahead of future elections.
