As the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa State prepares for the upcoming local government elections, serious internal cracks have emerged following allegations that Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri’s loyalists, who remain in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), are being positioned to clinch local government chairmanship and councillorship seats across the 21 local government areas of the state.
Governor Fintiri, who formally decamped from the PDP to the APC, is now facing strong backlash from party members over what aggrieved APC aspirants have described as a “double game” that could undermine the party’s unity ahead of future governorship and presidential elections.
Party insiders accuse the governor of orchestrating a dangerous anti-party strategy that rewards loyalty to him over loyalty to the APC.
Multiple party insiders, speaking on condition of anonymity, confided in Tgnews that several PDP members with strong ties to Governor Fintiri are being favoured for the 21 local government chairmanship positions and councillorship seats.
According to the sources, these loyalists are allegedly being positioned directly by the governor to take control of the local government general elections, even as they continue to actively campaign for PDP candidates and structures in the state.
“You can’t eat your cake and still have it,” one prominent APC Councillorship aspirant raged. “If Governor Fintiri has genuinely decamped to the APC, his loyalists who are still in the PDP cannot continue campaigning for the PDP while being handed over positions on a platter of gold. This anti-party activity will negatively affect the APC in the governorship election and beyond.”
The revelation has sparked widespread revolt among core APC members who remained loyal to the party during its inmost challenging periods in the state.
Many aspirants, who had invested significant time, energy, and personal resources in building political structures across the 21 local government areas, now feel betrayed and sidelined in favour of PDP members whose commitment to the APC remains highly doubtful.
This alleged arrangement has created deep resentment within the APC ranks. Party faithful argue that allowing individuals still embedded in the opposition PDP to fly the APC flag in the forthcoming council elections amounts to rewarding disloyalty and punishing dedication. They fear it could lead to voter apathy among genuine APC supporters and weaken the party’s grassroots base at a critical time.
Political analysts in Adamawa say the controversy underscores the complexities and suspicions that often accompany political defections and alliances in Nigeria’s democracy.
Similar situations have been reported in Jigawa State, where PDP elements allegedly infiltrated APC structures for local government contests, leading to internal crises and accusations of sabotage. Critics warn that Adamawa risks following the same damaging path if urgent steps are not taken.
Observers have bitten hard at Governor Fintiri, accusing him of playing a selfish anti-party game that prioritises personal empire-building over the interest of the APC. They question the sincerity of his defection, suggesting it was merely a tactical move to retain influence rather than a genuine ideological shift.
Equally, APC stakeholders have come under fire for their complacency in allowing such alleged manipulations to fester. Many wonder why party leaders have remained silent or complicit instead of enforcing discipline and protecting the interests of loyal members.
The alleged move to accommodate PDP loyalists under the APC platform for local elections has raised serious questions about party discipline, internal democracy, and the sincerity of cross-party arrangements. In contrast, the APC in Jigawa State recently demonstrated firmness by suspending several members, including Hon. Ibrahim Usman Auyo and others in Auyo LGA, over alleged anti-party activities. Such decisive action, analysts say, is what Adamawa stakeholders must emulate rather than turning a blind eye.
Attempts to get a reaction from Governor Fintiri’s spokesperson were unsuccessful as of press time. However, a senior APC stakeholder who backs the arrangement argued that competence and proven grassroots mobilisation capacity should be prioritised over mere sentiment. The stakeholder suggested that Fintiri’s allies could help deliver decisive victories for the APC at the local government level.
Critics within the party strongly disagree with this position. They warn that allowing perceived PDP agents to take over the local councils could demoralise genuine members, suppress voter turnout, and ultimately weaken the party’s prospects in subsequent major elections, including the governorship race.
As the local government elections draw closer, tensions are rising sharply within the Adamawa APC. Party leaders are under intense pressure to address the grievances of aggrieved aspirants and restore confidence to avoid a full-blown crisis that could fracture the party in the state.
The unfolding drama in Adamawa highlights the delicate balancing act required in managing political loyalties and internal democracy. How the APC handles this perception of a “double game” may significantly determine its cohesion and strength in future political contests.