From Joseph Asegba, Yola
Vice President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed Governor Ahmadu Fintiri as the leader of the All Progressives Congress in Adamawa State.
Shettima made the declaration on Monday during a grand reception held in Yola, where Fintiri was formally received into the APC by thousands of party faithful, stakeholders and supporters.
The event, widely described by party members as a political turning point in the state, followed Fintiri’s recent defection from the Peoples Democratic Party, signalling a major realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections.
At the ceremony, the APC National Chairman, Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, presented the symbolic insignia of leadership to the governor, affirming his position as the party leader in the state in line with the party’s constitution and established practice.
Several governors and top party officials from both national and state levels attended the event, underscoring its political significance.
Addressing the crowd, Fintiri said his decision to join the APC was informed by the need to align Adamawa State with the Federal Government in order to accelerate development.
“My decision to join the APC is driven by the desire to align Adamawa State with the Federal Government for accelerated development,” he said.
The governor assured party leaders and supporters of his commitment to unity, pledging to work with both old and new members to strengthen the party’s structure in the state.
“We will work together—old and new members—to build a stronger, more united party that will deliver on its promises to the people,” he added.
Fintiri also vowed to mobilise support for the party’s success in future elections, stressing that inclusiveness and cooperation would remain central to his leadership.
In a related development, the governor presented Senator Abdulaziz Nyako, son of former Adamawa State governor Murtala Nyako, whom he said he had persuaded to defect from the African Democratic Congress to the APC.
APC leaders at both national and state levels welcomed Fintiri into the party, describing his defection as a significant boost to the party’s strength in Adamawa and the North-East region.
They noted that his political experience and grassroots support would enhance the party’s prospects in the state ahead of the 2027 polls.
The Vice President and other party chieftains also commended Fintiri’s leadership record, citing his performance in infrastructure development and governance reforms as evidence of his capacity to contribute meaningfully to the APC.
Stakeholders and political allies, in their separate remarks, described the governor’s entry into the party as a “game changer,” expressing confidence that it would reshape the political landscape of Adamawa State.
Thousands of supporters, traditional leaders and political figures from across the state attended the event, signalling strong backing for the governor’s new political direction.
