Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, on Friday defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress.

In a statewide broadcast, the governor said he decamped with his entire cabinet and all Peoples Democratic Party officials.

He said his action was for the developmental interest of the people of Adamawa State.

The defection comes amid heightened political realignments in the state following the resignation of the Speaker of the Adamawa State House of Assembly, Bathiya Wesley, and 15 other lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party on Wednesday.

The lawmakers, in separate letters addressed to their respective ward chairmen, cited the lingering crisis at the national level of the PDP as the reason for their decision to quit the party.

Their resignation letters were later read on the floor of the House during plenary.

Reports had indicated that the lawmakers met with Governor Fintiri at the Government House in Yola shortly before announcing their exit from the PDP, fuelling speculations that a major political shift was imminent in the state.

Among those who resigned are Deputy Speaker Mohammed Buba Jada-Mbulo and Assembly members representing Kefas Calvin Toungo (Kefas), Bulus Geoffrey Leko (Koma), Haruna Jilantikiri (Madagali), Kefas Emmanuel (Song), Ahmed Jingi (Belel), and Moses Yerima Zah (Michika).

Also on the defection list were Kate Raymond (Mamuno), Pwamwakeno Mackondo (Numan), Adun John Uba (Gaya), Bulus Kantom (Shelleng), Musa Mahmud (Mayo Belwa), and Japhet Hammanjabu (Verre).

Details later…