The defection of Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has brought to 30 the number of states controlled by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Fintiri, who announced the defection in a statewide broadcast, said the decision followed extensive consultations across a broad spectrum of stakeholders in the state and was informed by unfolding political realities that required “decisive and strategic choices.”
Noting that political seasons often demand recalibration, the Governor declared, “Our entire political structure, 226 wards, 21 local governments, and all elected and appointed officials, will move with us into the APC as we pursue a more assured political future for our state.”
With Adamawa now under its control, the ruling APC strengthens its dominance across the geopolitical zones: all six states in the South-South; all six in the North-Central; three of five in the South-East; four of six in the South-West; five of six in the North-East; and six of seven in the North-West.
Following the 2023 election cycle, the PDP controlled 17 governorships and stood as the main opposition party, but the expanding influence of the APC under President Bola Tinubu triggered steady realignments among PDP governors seeking to reposition within the national political structure.
From 2024 into early 2026, several PDP governors, including those of Delta, Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Bayelsa, Rivers, Taraba and Plateau, crossed over to the APC, citing political stability, federal alignment and development priorities.
Their departures significantly reduced the PDP’s governorship tally and expanded the APC’s presence across strategic regions.
Bauchi Governor Alerts APC to Possible Explosion
Reacting to the manner the ruling party has been welcoming politicians from all parties to its fold, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has warned the APC to be careful not to implode like the PDP.
After meeting behind closed doors with Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Friday, he told reporters: He said: “The APC will need to watch their backs after the primaries, as they are growing larger, much like the PDP. The PDP expanded and ultimately exploded, not imploded.”
Finds Comfort in Being Bigger than ADC
Governor Mohammed went on to state that despite the defections, PDP remains bigger than the coalition of opposition politicians in the All Democratic Congress (ADC).
According to him, “PDP is still there, we deserve some accolades for what we did in the FCT. At least, we are bigger than the coalition that is everywhere.
“PDP is a party that is everywhere and in every ward. It has a brand that has survived over two decades.
“Our outing in FCT where we won one council chairmanship seat and about sixteen councilors shows that we are moving.
“I’m not feeling lonely because I’m in my state to make sure that I sit back and watch how elections are won from the polling units,” said Mohammed who used to be the Minister of the FCT.
