APC declares Fintiri as party leader in Adamawa
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has formally declared Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri as its leader in Adamawa state, in a move that underscores a significant political realignment in the north-east.
The announcement was made on Monday in Yola during a grand reception held in the governor’s honour, with Vice-President Kashim Shettima leading a high-powered delegation of party officials and stakeholders. The event, attended by thousands of supporters, marked Fintiri’s formal integration into the ruling party.
Addressing the gathering, Shettima said the APC had taken a collective decision to recognise Fintiri as the party’s leader in Adamawa, pointing to his political experience, wide support base and perceived capacity to unify competing interests within the state.
“Today, we are not only welcoming a governor into our great party, we are also entrusting him with leadership in Adamawa,” he said. “This decision reflects our confidence in his ability to strengthen the APC and guide it to greater success.”
Senior party figures at the event echoed the vice-president’s position, portraying the governor as a stabilising force whose leadership could help consolidate party structures and ease longstanding internal divisions.
In his response, Fintiri thanked the party leadership for the reception and the confidence placed in him, describing the endorsement as both an honour and a responsibility. He pledged to prioritise unity, deepen grassroots mobilisation and maintain an inclusive approach to party affairs.
“I am honoured by this responsibility and the overwhelming support shown here today,” he said. “This is a call to service, and I will work with all stakeholders to build a stronger and more united APC in Adamawa.”
He urged party members to set aside differences and focus on shared political goals, arguing that cohesion would be critical as attention gradually turns to the 2027 electoral cycle.
The reception drew a large crowd of party supporters, traditional leaders and political actors from across the state, turning Yola into a focal point of political activity. Supporters, clad in party colours, filled the venue amid music and chants celebrating what many described as a new phase for the APC in Adamawa.
Analysts say the development could reshape political alignments in the state, with the party seeking to rally around a single figure in a bid to strengthen its electoral prospects.