Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State on Friday defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), citing the developmental interest of the state as the reason for his decision.

In a 14-minute statewide broadcast from Yola, the governor announced that he had moved to the APC alongside his entire cabinet, elected officials and party structures across the 226 wards and 21 local government areas of the state.

Fintiri said the decision followed wide consultations and was aimed at aligning Adamawa with national politics for greater opportunities.

“The decision to leave the PDP and join the APC was not taken lightly. It was guided by one overriding consideration — the long-term stability, development and prosperity of Adamawa State,” he said.

Shortly after the announcement, PDP flags were removed from the Government House, signalling the formal shift.

The governor stated that the alignment would enable the state to key into the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly in infrastructure, housing, social welfare and economic development.

As a prelude to the defection, 15 of the 16 members elected into the Adamawa State House of Assembly on the PDP platform, including the Speaker, Bathiya Wesley, had earlier defected to the APC.

Speaking with journalists, Chairman of the Adamawa State Commissioners’ Forum, Aloysius Babadoke, confirmed that all commissioners in the state had also joined the APC, pledging continued loyalty to the governor.

Fintiri was subsequently registered as a member of the APC and issued membership card number 001.

Speculation over the governor’s defection had intensified in recent months, particularly following President Tinubu’s visit to Yola to commission projects in the state.

The development marks a major political realignment in Adamawa ahead of future electoral contests.