By, Omowumi Hannah

 

Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), saying ADC unknown in the state.

Fintiri made the announcement on Friday morning in a statewide broadcast, joining with his cabinet and party officials.

The move follows recent defections by 15 Adamawa State Assembly members and the speaker from the PDP, amid rumors fueled by Fintiri’s hosting of APC leaders.

Fintiri’s defection to the ruling political party potentially hands the APC control of 30 states across Nigeria.

Reacting to Fintiri’s defection from the PDP to the APC, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga said it is a big blow for former Vice President Atiku in Adamawa State.

Onanuga added that Fintiri joining the APC has made President Bola Tinubu’s party a juggernaut in Adamawa State.

“Adamawa Governor Umaru Fintiri joins the All Progressives Congress, APC, taking away Abubakar Atiku’s entire home base to President Tinubu’s party,” Onanuga said.

“Governor Fintiri announced his decision in a broadcast on Friday. He also announced that he has not left his former party, the PDP, alone. All members of his cabinet, lawmakers and other PDP officials in the state moved with him to the APC, thus fortifying the APC’s advantage and presence in the state.

“Governor Fintiri said he defected in the “developmental interest” of the people of Adamawa State. What this means for Atiku: With the presidential election less than a year away, Fintiri’s defection is surely a big blow to veteran presidential runner Atiku Abubakar.

“His ADC is largely unknown in the state. He certainly needs to reassess his ambition, as his governor has turned the APC into an Adamawa juggernaut.

“If a politician is not so popular at home, he has no business selling his candidacy to outsiders. The time is nigh for Atiku to consider retiring from politics and going to his second home in Dubai.”