Adamawa Local Government Leaders Switch from PDP to APC

The chairpersons and 226 councillors from the 21 local governments in Adamawa State have left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

This change started late on Monday and was made public on Tuesday. Residents saw various resignation letters on social media when they woke up.

The council leaders said they spoke with their people and political friends before making the switch.

Jibril Jimeta, the chairman of Yola North Local Government, said he decided to join the APC based on his personal choice to support the ruling party.

In his letter, which is dated 19th October 2026 and sent to the Karewa Ward PDP chairman in Yola North, he said, "As I move forward on a new political path, I wish the PDP and its members continued peace, progress and success in their future political progress."

Tijani Atiku, the Maiha Council chairman, also wrote a letter on the same date. He thanked the PDP for their support and said, "I sincerely appreciate the opportunities, relationship and experiences I gained during my time in the party."

Musa Hassan, the chairman of Mubi North Local Council, also submitted his resignation on 19th October 2026. In his letter, he mentioned, "Having reflected on my political journey, I have decided to discontinue my membership of the party and pursue a different political direction."

Reactions from APC and PDP

Victor Dogo, the APC Publicity Secretary in Adamawa, confirmed the news. He said, "All the 21 local government area chairmen, Area development administrators and the 226 councillors in the state have moved into our party."

Mr Dogo added that the council leaders made their decision to align with "their Godfather, Governor Ahmadu Finitri, who made the way for them."

Governor Fintiri left the PDP on 27th February after overseeing the election of the PDP candidates for the council elections held on 13th June. The council leaders were expected to join him in the APC.

In September, Maurice Vunobolki, the PDP governorship candidate in the state, said the council officials would have to deal with their own conscience if they left the PDP. He believed their switch could earn him sympathy votes, as people remember how he and the PDP helped them gain power.

On 11th September, Mr Vunobolki told journalists that a candidate does not need to have council chairmen in their party to win an election as governor. He said, "If incumbent governors with council chairmen in their party can be defeated, as has been done several times in different parts of the country, I don’t see why I must have council chairmen to win this election."

PDP's Response

Belmont Dogo, the state PDP chairman, shared similar thoughts in a phone interview with PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday. He stated that the council officials' defection would not stop the PDP from winning back the governorship from the APC.

He said, "We are not alarmed by what has happened," adding that Governor Fintiri, as the PDP candidate in 2019, defeated an incumbent APC governor when the PDP had no elected council chairperson.

"Our party has done it before and we will do it again; the local government chairmen and councillors are not the ones who will vote," Mr Dogo declared.