Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State made a significant political move on Friday, defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). This decision, which followed weeks of intense speculation, was formally announced by the Governor in a statewide broadcast from Government House, Yola. Fintiri cited extensive consultations and the best interests of Adamawa State as key drivers, emphasizing a strategic alignment with the federal government under President Bola Tinubu to attract more federal support and accelerate development projects within the state. He explicitly stated the move was necessary to support the Tinubu administration’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” and ensure “long-term stability and development” for Adamawa.

The Governor's defection triggered a mass exodus of political figures and party structures from the PDP in Adamawa. Alhaji Hamza Bello Madagali, the state chairman of the PDP, resigned from his position and the party, joining the APC along with the entire State Executive Committee, including all PDP chairmen across the 21 local government areas. Additionally, twenty-two Commissioners and Special Advisers, affirming their loyalty to Governor Fintiri, collectively announced their defection to the APC. Mr. Alloucious Babadoke, Chairman of the Commissioners’ Forum, stated their decision to politically align with the Governor, highlighting his leadership in positioning the state as a developmental model. James Iliya, Commissioner for Information, pledged to mobilize supporters for APC registration. The Forum of Special Advisers, led by Chairman Bala Jada, also resigned from the PDP, attributing their decision to extensive consultations and a forward-looking conviction for effective state representation at the national level. Furthermore, the Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) to the Governor, chaired by Bristone Daniel, also transitioned to the APC, emphasizing their commitment to Fintiri’s transformative agenda and ensuring government machinery remains synchronized with the center. This mass transition encompassed all SSAs, with the exception of those appointed under the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) quota, who will continue to serve.

The political shift was not limited to the executive arm. Earlier on Wednesday, February 26, 15 members of the Adamawa State House of Assembly, including Speaker Bathiya Wesley, had resigned from the PDP, citing a “lingering crisis” within the party. This development notably shifted the balance of the 25-member legislature towards the APC. While governors face no constitutional restriction on defection, the situation for defecting lawmakers is more complex. Sections 68(1)(g) and 109(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) require federal and state lawmakers to vacate their seats if they defect before their term ends, unless the move is justified by a demonstrable