Shettima Declares Fintiri Adamawa APC Leader Post-Defection

Vice President Shettima Declares Governor Fintiri New APC Leader in Adamawa State

Vice President Kashim Shettima has officially declared Governor Ahmadu Fintiri the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa State following Fintiri’s recent defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The announcement was made during a grand reception for Fintiri in Yola on Monday, clarifying the party’s leadership structure amidst prior ambiguity.

The clarification addresses a period of uncertainty over who held the party’s top position in the state, a role previously held by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu before Fintiri’s switch. Speaking on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, Shettima emphasized that the governorship automatically confers party leadership at the state level. He cited analogous situations in Borno State, where Governor Babagana Zulum leads the APC, and Plateau State, where Governor Caleb Mutfwang is the party leader despite the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, being from that state.

“As we arrived in Yola earlier today, we were welcomed not only by the people but also by the worthy projects that you have put in place,” Shettima told Governor Fintiri, noting the Federal Government’s pride in his decision to join the APC.

During the ceremony, National Chairman Prof. Yilwatda presented Fintiri with the party’s flag and symbolic broom, urging him to vigorously promote the party and integrate remaining opposition figures into the APC. Responding, Governor Fintiri, who had already convinced former ADC candidate Senator Abdulazeez Nyako to rejoin the APC over the weekend, pledged to continue attracting prominent figures to consolidate the party’s presence in Adamawa.

The event solidifies the APC’s growing influence in a key northeastern state and signals a reconfiguration of the state’s political landscape ahead of future elections. Fintiri’s induction and subsequent recognition as state party leader mark a significant step in the opposition’s strategy to strengthen its northern bloc.