The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reacted to the defection of Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, to the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying that his action is an exhibition of unrestrained cowardice which has been recorded by history.
In a press release signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the party said it is “aware of the official announcement of the long-speculated defection” of Fintiri to the APC, noting that the move had been rumoured for some time, despite denials from the governor.
“This move though long speculated, had attracted several rebuttals from the Governor himself, even as recent as last week, after the Presidential visit to Adamawa,” the statement said.
It added: “By this announcement, the Governor himself has confirmed what hitherto was a rumour, by aligning with the ruling Party, a move he says is in the ‘developmental interest’ of his state.”
While acknowledging Fintiri’s constitutional right to associate with whomsoever he pleases, the party harshly criticised the decision.
“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,” the PDP stated.
The statement further said: “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.”
Four days ago, Ememobong had appeared on live television to dismiss claims that Fintiri, the Chairman of the 2025 PDP National Convention Organising Committee, which produced the Kabiru Turaki-led executive committee in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, was planning to defect.
The party said further on the defection: “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 PDP then called on its members in Adamawa State to remain strong.
“We urge our members in Adamawa to accept this sad reality with grace, knowing that the true test of a person is during times of inconvenience and contention. They should remain resolute in the hope that the rebirth movement of our party is on course and will certainly reposition our party back to winning ways,” the statement added.
