PDP: Fintiri chose APC over principles

2026-02-27 - 19:47

By Luminous Jannamike ABUJA — Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticised the defection of Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the move as a departure from political principles and a development that raises fresh concerns about the health of Nigeria’s multi-party democracy. Beyond the immediate loss, the PDP said the development reflects a troubling political trend ahead of future elections, while urging its members in Adamawa State to remain calm and united despite the setback. The party made its position known in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, following the governor’s broadcast confirming his switch to the ruling party. “We are aware of the official announcement of the long-speculated defection of His Excellency, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri from our party to the All Progressives Congress today via a broadcast in Adamawa State,” the party said. The PDP noted that the governor had repeatedly denied plans to leave the party, including after a recent presidential visit to the state, before eventually confirming the move. “While we acknowledge that this move is well within Fintiri’s legal rights, it is clearly against political principles and morality, a challenge to multi-party democracy and democratic consolidation. “For a person to abandon a platform that provided political coverage for him across many election cycles at the sight of slight discomfort is unambiguously an exhibition of unrestrained cowardice, and not a mark of a principled politician,” the party added. The opposition party also issued a pointed farewell to the governor, saying his actions would ultimately be judged by history. “As we bid Governor Fintiri farewell, we remind him that history and posterity are the ultimate and unbiased judges of human conduct and are actively recording the actions and inactions of people,” the statement said. Despite its criticism, the PDP appealed to its supporters in Adamawa to remain composed and focused on the party’s rebuilding efforts.