Vice President Kashim Shettima has warmly received Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, into the All Progressives Congress (APC) fold, describing his defection as a significant step toward strengthening national unity and governance.
While Speaking in Yola on Monday during the formal reception of the governor and his supporters, Shettima said Fintiri was not joining the party as a newcomer but as a partner in nation-building.
“Your arrival is not as strangers but as partners in a shared mission to build a nation that works and a democracy that delivers,” he said on behalf of President Bola Tinubu.
The Vice President noted that Fintiri’s decision reflects the responsibility of political leaders to make choices that strengthen democracy, adding that the APC remains committed to putting Nigerians at the centre of governance.
He described the ruling party as one that sees power as a responsibility rather than an end in itself, and said the growing number of defections into the APC signals public confidence in its vision and leadership.
Shettima also commended Fintiri’s achievements in Adamawa, particularly in infrastructure and public service delivery, noting that his track record would add value to the party.
Similarly, APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, praised the governor’s strides in sectors such as education and healthcare, describing his move as a welcome development.
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, represented by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, also lauded Fintiri for what he called a bold political decision.
Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, described the APC as a platform driven by the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of President Tinubu, expressing confidence that Fintiri’s entry would further strengthen the party.
In his address, Fintiri said his decision to join the APC was driven by a desire to align with the policies and reforms of the Tinubu administration, which he said were already repositioning Nigeria.
“We have come to support the President and ensure victory for the APC in 2027,” he said, expressing confidence that the party would achieve a landslide victory in Adamawa.
He also reiterated his support for power rotation, insisting that the South should complete its eight-year tenure.
The event featured the presentation of the APC flag to Fintiri, symbolising his emergence as the party leader in Adamawa State.
Following the ceremony, Shettima paid a courtesy visit to the Lamido of Adamawa, Barkindo Mustapha, where he reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to preserving traditional institutions.
He described traditional rulers as vital links between government and the grassroots, noting that the administration values their role in promoting stability and cultural heritage.
The monarch, in response, commended the President and Vice President for their leadership and dedication to national development.
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