ABUJA – Nigeria’s political map is on the brink of a historic shift as Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri prepares to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), senior party officials confirmed.
Fintiri’s move, expected to be formalized after ongoing consultations, would give the APC control of 30 out of Nigeria’s 36 states, one of the most sweeping political consolidations since the return to civilian rule in 1999.
The defection carries major symbolic weight: Adamawa is the home state of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, a leading contender for the 2027 presidential race. With Fintiri poised to join the APC and campaign for President Bola Tinubu’s reelection, analysts say the development could significantly weaken Atiku’s influence in his own political base.
The shift comes amid a broader wave of realignments. Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf is expected to be formally received into the APC at a high‑profile ceremony today, while Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara is reportedly set to join the ruling party after Ramadan. APC insiders say another North‑East governor is also in advanced talks.
APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda denied allegations of coercion, attributing the influx of governors to federal infrastructure projects such as the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) gas pipeline, the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano–Maradi rail line, and the Sokoto–Badagry superhighway.
Fintiri, once a close ally of Atiku, has publicly signaled openness to defecting, saying he would follow “the wish of my people.” His son recently joined the APC, further fueling speculation.
If the remaining negotiations succeed, the APC could soon command 31 states, leaving only a handful of opposition‑controlled territories nationwide.