A prominent former minister and key figure in Adamawa State politics, Dr. Aliyu Idi Hong, has formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC). The defection ceremony took place on Saturday evening at his home ward in Hong Local Government Area, marking a significant shift in the state’s political landscape.
Dr. Hong, who previously served as Minister of State for Health and later as Minister of Foreign Affairs, described his departure from the PDP as inevitable. He characterized the party as a “sinking ship” and stated thatremaining would be “committing suicide.” He further alleged that a coordinated effort is underway to encourage other PDP officials and notable members across all 226 wards in Adamawa State to follow suit and join the APC.
His defection follows persistent speculation regarding the political future of Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri. Governor Fintiri, who has been a dominant figure in the state PDP since his 2019 election, is widely believed to be considering a similar move to the APC. Analysts suggest that if the governor defects, it would likely trigger a large-scale exit of PDP members, fundamentally altering the state’s political alignment.
The Adamawa State Chairman of the APC, Idris Shuaibu, officially welcomed Dr. Hong to the party. Chairman Shuaibu urged him to leverage his extensive goodwill and political experience to strengthen the APC’s position in the state.
This development intensifies the ongoing realignment of political forces in Adamawa ahead of future elections. Dr. Hong’s switch, given his national profile and deep roots in the state, provides the APC with a high-profile recruit and underscores the perceived fragility of the PDP’s hold in the region. The potential defection of Governor Fintiri would represent a seismic shift, potentially ending PDP’s long-standing influence in the state and consolidating APC’s presence in Nigeria’s North East. The situation signals a period of significant political flux, with further defections anticipated in the coming weeks.
