Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), in what political observers describe as a major setback for Nigeria’s main opposition party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Fintiri’s defection comes amid growing internal tensions within the PDP following its recent national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State. The convention, which was chaired by party leaders amid lingering disagreements within its ranks, had earlier been criticised by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who dismissed the gathering as an “Amala convention,” suggesting it lacked political substance and unity.
Political stakeholders say the governor’s exit reinforces claims that the convention failed to address deep-rooted divisions threatening the cohesion of the party. Analysts now warn that more high-profile defections may follow if reconciliation efforts within the PDP do not yield results.
Attention has particularly shifted to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, amid speculations that he could reconsider his continued stay in the PDP. However, there has been no official statement from Makinde confirming any intention to leave the party.
Governor Fintiri, a two-term governor elected on the PDP platform in 2019 and re-elected in 2023, was widely regarded as one of the influential figures within the opposition and a strong political ally of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar. His movement to the APC is expected to significantly alter political calculations in the North-East region.
