The Peoples Democratic Party has strongly criticised the decision of Ahmadu Fintiri to defect to the All Progressives Congress, describing the move as an act that weakens the principles of multi-party democracy in Nigeria.
The party’s National Working Committee, led by Tanimu Turaki, conveyed its position in a statement issued on Friday by the National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong. The statement noted that history and posterity remain impartial judges of human actions and will continue to record the conduct of public figures.
After weeks of speculation surrounding his political future, Fintiri on Friday formally announced his departure from the PDP and his decision to join the ruling APC.
Reacting to the development, the opposition party said the governor’s exit from a platform that supported his political rise through several electoral cycles over what it termed minor challenges demonstrates political weakness rather than principled leadership.
According to the party, the governor himself had repeatedly denied the rumours of his planned defection, including shortly after a recent presidential visit to Adamawa State. However, the official announcement has now confirmed the earlier speculation.
The PDP noted that although the decision to switch political parties is within the governor’s constitutional rights, it argued that the move raises concerns about political ethics and democratic consolidation.
The party further stated that abandoning a platform that provided consistent political support at the slightest sign of difficulty reflects a lack of commitment to party ideals.
Despite the development, the PDP urged its members in Adamawa State to remain calm and united.
The statement encouraged party loyalists in the state to accept the situation with maturity while maintaining confidence in what it described as the party’s ongoing rebuilding process aimed at restoring its electoral strength.
