YOLA — Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri has drawn a sharp political line in the sand. Any political appointee in his government who defects to the All Progressives Congress must resign immediately.
Fintiri issued the ultimatum this week, describing loyalty to the Peoples Democratic Party as a condition of service for members of his administration. The directive targets a growing number of officials who have reportedly been holding talks with APC chieftains ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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APC’s Push South
The APC has been aggressively expanding into PDP-controlled states in recent months. Party leaders have been offering governorship slot promises and financial incentives to targeted officials. Adamawa, which borders Borno State, is seen as a strategic prize.
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Fintiri made clear that he would not allow such manoeuvring to destabilise his government. “If you want to go, go. But you cannot eat from my table and work against my people,” he told a gathering of party faithful in Yola.
Opposition Reacts
APC leaders in Adamawa dismissed the ultimatum as desperate. State APC chairman Alhaji Ibrahim Bilal described Fintiri’s action as “panic politics.” He said the governor was afraid of defections because his administration had underperformed.
Stakes for 2027
Political analysts say the development signals how early Nigeria’s 2027 election campaigns have begun. With President Tinubu expected to seek a second term, both major parties are already positioning in swing states like Adamawa.
Civil society groups have urged the governor to focus on service delivery rather than political loyalty tests. They argue that citizens care more about roads, hospitals, and security than party membership cards.
