Vice President Kashim Shettima has declared that Governor Ahmadu Fintiri is now the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa State following his recent defection to the party.
Shettima made the statement on Monday during a reception held in Adamawa in honour of Fintiri, addressing ongoing debates over the party’s leadership in the state, previously associated with National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
To support his position, the Vice President referenced similar arrangements in other states, noting that sitting governors typically serve as party leaders, citing Borno and Plateau as examples.
Speaking on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Shettima welcomed Fintiri and his supporters into the APC, describing the move as a positive development for the party.
“As we arrived in Yola earlier today, we were welcomed not only by the people but also by the worthy projects that you have put in place,” Shettima told Fintiri.
APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, while presenting the party’s flag to the governor, praised his leadership and urged him to strengthen the party’s presence in the state.
He also handed over the symbolic broom, encouraging Fintiri to attract more members from other parties.
In his remarks, Fintiri pledged to expand the party’s base, following his role in bringing back former ADC governorship candidate, Abdulazeez Nyako, into the APC.