Shettima Declares Fintiri APC Leader in Adamawa After Defection

Vice President Kashim Shettima has formally declared Governor Ahmadu Fintiri as the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa State, following the governor’s recent defection to the ruling party.

The announcement was made during a high-profile reception held in Adamawa State to welcome Fintiri into the APC. The declaration comes amid ongoing debates within political circles over who should lead the party structure in the state, particularly given the prior influence of Nuhu Ribadu, who had been widely regarded as a key APC figure in Adamawa before the governor’s defection.

Addressing party members and stakeholders at the event, Shettima clarified that by political convention within the APC, a sitting governor automatically assumes leadership of the party in their state once they join. He reinforced this position by citing examples from other states, including Borno, where Governor Babagana Zulum is recognized as the party leader despite Shettima’s own national office, and Plateau State, where the sitting governor leads the party structure regardless of other influential figures.

Speaking on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, the vice president described Fintiri’s entry into the APC as a significant political development. He praised the governor’s performance in office and expressed confidence that his leadership would strengthen the party’s presence in Adamawa. Shettima also noted that the federal government and the APC leadership were pleased to welcome Fintiri and his supporters into their fold.

The APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, also played a key role at the event by presenting the party’s symbolic flag and broom to the governor. In his remarks, he commended Fintiri as a hardworking leader and urged him to consolidate the party’s influence by attracting more political actors into the APC. He specifically encouraged the governor to bring members of opposition parties in the state into the ruling party’s structure.

Fintiri, in his response, pledged commitment to the APC and promised to work towards expanding its base in Adamawa. He revealed that efforts were already underway to unify political stakeholders, noting that prominent figures had begun aligning with the party. Among them is Abdulazeez Nyako, a former governorship candidate, who recently returned to the APC following discussions with the governor.

The event attracted top political figures, including governors from various states and senior government officials, highlighting the importance attached to Fintiri’s defection. It also underscored the APC’s ongoing strategy of strengthening its hold across states by welcoming influential opposition leaders.

Fintiri’s move is seen by analysts as part of a broader trend of political realignments ahead of future elections, where party structures and state-level leadership play a crucial role in shaping outcomes. His emergence as APC leader in Adamawa is expected to reshape the political landscape in the state, potentially altering existing alliances and power dynamics.

While supporters view the development as a strategic gain for the ruling party, critics argue that such defections raise questions about ideological consistency and the long-term stability of party politics in Nigeria. Nonetheless, the declaration by Shettima effectively settles the leadership question within the APC in Adamawa—for now—placing Fintiri at the center of the party’s structure in the state.