The defection of Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has sparked internal dissent, with a former key ally cautioning the national party against granting him leadership roles.
Dr. Aliyu Idi Hong, a former Minister of State for Health who defected from the PDP to the APC on the same day, publicly opposed any move to install Fintiri as the Adamawa APC leader. Speaking at a ceremony in Yola where the state APC leadership formally welcomed him, Hong argued that allowing recent entrants to assume control would be unjust to long-standing party members who built the organisation.
Hong, who played a significant role in supporting Fintiri’s re-election during the 2023 governorship campaign, stated that it would be “morally wrong” for Fintiri to take over a party structure he did not help establish. He urged President Bola Tinubu, the APC National Chairman, and the National Working Committee to prevent what he described as the “unmerited annexation” of the state chapter by “ranking outsiders.”
Instead, Hong affirmed Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser, as the party’s natural leader in Adamawa, citing his longstanding contributions. He emphasised that the Adamawa APC is a robust, statewide structure, not a weak entity requiring rescue, and is already positioned to contest for power in 2027.
Hong explained his own decision to leave the PDP followed extensive consultations with supporters who felt the party no longer served their interests. He framed his move as a pursuit of development and alignment with a platform capable of delivering for Adamawa and Nigeria.
The Adamawa State APC Chairman, Shuaibu Idris, assured Hong of equal rights and opportunities within the party.
The situation highlights a significant tension within the Adamawa APC as it integrates high-profile defectors from the rival PDP, raising questions about internal hierarchy and the balance between new influence and existing party structures as the 2027 election cycle approaches.
