APC Doesn’t Need Saviors: A Rejoinder to Claims of Fintiri’s ‘Irreplaceable’ Value in Potential Defection

By Tgnews Reporter

Amid swirling speculations that Adamawa Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri is poised to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), a pointed counter-argument has emerged challenging exaggerated narratives about the political “assets” he would bring to the table.

In a rejoinder to an earlier piece by Zayyad I. Mohammed titled “If Fintiri Defects, What Is He Bringing to the Table?”, which highlighted Fintiri’s development record, government structure, elected officials, party machinery, and supposed bloc votes as major gains for the APC, a critical perspective—attributed to political observer Dr. John Luka—emphasizes humility, realism, and mutual interest over triumphalism.

The response stresses that good governance is a duty to citizens, not a bargaining chip. “Performance in Adamawa is commendable, but it is not exclusive to one individual,” it states, noting that the APC boasts thousands of capable leaders nationwide who could deliver similar or better results if empowered.

On the claim of bringing a “full government structure” including appointees and grassroots stakeholders, the rejoinder describes these as fluid loyalties tied to office and resources. “The APC has its own deep-rooted stakeholders in every ward and local government who have remained steadfast even in opposition,” it counters.

Regarding elected officials—three senators, five House of Representatives members, and 16 state assembly members—the argument labels the move as transactional. It portrays the mass shift as officials following their principal for political safety in the ruling party, rather than ideological conviction, describing it as a “political caravan seeking a new home.”

The assertion of delivering over 6,000 ward executives and a structured party machinery is dismissed as merely repackaging the PDP’s Adamawa structure. “These executives were elected under the PDP banner… this is simply a merger of one structure into another,” the piece notes, pointing out the APC’s existing parallel framework.

A key reality check targets the narrative of an unbeatable “bloc vote” fueled by organic mass support. Election margins tell a different story: In 2019, Fintiri won by approximately 40,000 votes (after a supplementary election), and in 2023, he secured re-election with a margin of 32,073 votes (430,861 to 398,788 against the APC candidate). These figures, the rejoinder argues, indicate solid but not overwhelming or irreplaceable popularity—the APC has historically commanded strong bases in the state and produced governors with significant followings.

Addressing claims that criticism stems from “envy or fear,” the response frames the discourse as natural friction in political realignments. It highlights a national trend where governors seek alignment with the ruling APC for “safe corridors” ahead of future elections, rather than a unique threat to opposition parties.

In conclusion, the rejoinder affirms Governor Fintiri’s constitutional right to join any party, welcoming him to the APC if he chooses. However, it calls for humility: “The APC is doing him a favor by providing a platform for his political future.” It insists the party remains strong enough to win national elections with or without Adamawa’s votes, urging the move be viewed as mutual survival rather than a magnanimous rescue.

As APC ward congresses in Adamawa were recently postponed—widely seen as accommodation for potential defectors like Fintiri—the debate underscores tensions between integration and preserving legacy structures within the ruling party.