The ambition of the former Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar , to become Nigeria’s president was threatened over the weekend as the governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Fintri, who until now was a member of the opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was the governor of Adamawa, the home state of the former vice president.
With Fintri joining the APC, the party now has 30 governors in its kitty.
In a statewide broadcast on Friday, Fintiri announced that members of his cabinet and the PDP in the state had moved with him to the ruling party.
Fintiri said his decision was driven by the need to fast-track development and act in the best interest of the people of Adamawa State.
He stated further that his decision was well thought out, necessitated by “recent political developments at the national level,” and taken in the overall developmental interest of the state and its people.
He pledged that his defection would not diminish his commitment to the welfare of the people.
His administration, he said, “remains conscious of the moral responsibility imposed by the people’s trust.”
Fintiri argued that aligning with the APC would enable the state to support and leverage the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, particularly in the areas of social welfare, infrastructure, housing, and inclusive economic development.
The governor stressed that the decision to leave the PDP was not driven by personal ambition or political convenience but by the overriding need to reposition the state within mainstream national politics for greater benefits.
He urged his supporters to register massively with the APC, and soon after the broadcast, his commissioners, special assistants, and  14 of the 21 local government chairmen of the state addressed newsmen to declare their defection to the ruling party.
Speaking on behalf of the former Vice President, his  media officer said, “Every politician is free to choose a path. He respects that right,”
“Former Vice President of Nigeria and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has declared that the 2027 election will be a straight fight between Bola Tinubu and the APC on one side, and the Nigerian people on the other.
“Reacting to the defection of Fintiri, Atiku said political realignments are not new.
“Every politician is free to choose a path. He respects that right.
“He added that even his children are free to take independent political positions. However, anyone — including his son — who chooses to stand with Nigerians rather than the APC is standing on the side of patriotism.
“Atiku warned that the wave of defections by opposition governors is not a sign of APC strength, but evidence of pressure and intimidation.”
He accused the Tinubu administration of weaponising state institutions to bully political opponents in a desperate bid to turn Nigeria into a one-party state.
“This government fears accountability. It fears credible elections. It fears the people,” he said.
According to him, “no amount of coercion can erase the daily hardship Nigerians face — rising hunger, crushing poverty, worsening insecurity, and mass unemployment caused by failed economic policies.
“Governors may defect for personal survival. Nigerians are defecting in their millions because they want survival.”
Atiku urged citizens not to confuse political cross-carpeting with popularity.
“What will the APC campaign on in 2027 — hunger? hardship? hopelessness?” he said.
He reminded Nigerians that power ultimately belongs to them and warned against vote-selling.
“Do not trade your future. Do not mortgage your children’s tomorrow. In 2027, the people will have their say — and their will shall prevail.”

Presidential spokesperson taunts Atiku

Moments after Fintiri’s broadcast on  his defection, President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, took  to social media to throw a jibe at Atiku.
Writing on his X handle @aonanuga1956, the President’s SA said: “With the presidential election less than a year away, Fintiri’s defection is surely a big blow to veteran presidential runner Atiku Abubakar.
“His  ADC is largely unknown in the state. He certainly needs to reassess his ambition, as his governor has turned the APC into an Adamawa juggernaut. If a politician is not so popular at home, he has no business selling his candidacy to outsiders. The time is nigh for Atiku to consider retiring from politics and going to his second home in Dubai.”