Ex-Minister Dr Hong Storms APC Office, Slams Gov Fintiri as ‘Divisive’, ‘Unfair’, Warns APC Against Disaster He’ll Bring to Party

By Tgnews Reporter 

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of State for Health, Dr. Aliyu Idi Hong, made a high-profile entry into the All Progressives Congress (APC) as he visited the party’s state secretariat in Yola, accompanied by hundreds of supporters drawn from all 21 local government areas of Adamawa State.

The visit followed Hong’s formal defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where he described the PDP as a “sinking ship with no captain on board to drive it.”

He was warmly received by the APC State Chairman, Barr. Idris Shuaibu, and other executive members.

During the event, Hong issued a strong caution to the APC leadership against allowing Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri to assume control of the party should rumours of his impending defection from the PDP prove true.

He described such a move as a potential “tantrum” that could plunge the APC into serious crisis and jeopardize its chances in the 2027 general elections.

Hong argued that permitting Fintiri to take over would be unfair to long-time loyal APC members who have consistently served and sustained the party over the years.

He suggested that while Fintiri could join the APC like any other politician, he should not be handed leadership on a platter, given what he called the governor’s history of attacks, mockery, and criticism against the party.

“I can tell you that Fintiri became Governor twice because of APC, and nothing he has done to the party except tantrums of attacks and undue mockery criticism,” Hong stated.

He dismissed claims that Fintiri could bring a “whole government” to the APC, asserting that the governor’s political value has diminished since he is no longer seeking any position.

“I know him too well—don’t give him that chance. He survives within divisive loopholes; where there’s cracks, he strikes for political gains.”

Hong, who defected alongside Hon. Kobis Hari Thimnu, the House of Representatives member representing Shelleng/Guyuk Federal Constituency, expressed optimism that their entry would “spice up the party aroma of victory” in 2027.

In a pointed critique, Hong accused Fintiri’s leadership in the PDP of lacking fairness even toward his own party members, warning that the governor would be unlikely to treat APC members equitably if allowed to lead.

He urged both state and national APC leadership to exercise caution, warning that handing over the party to Fintiri could spark internal crisis and hinder the party’s ability to form the next government.

“I’m calling on the party leadership from state to the national to trade with caution of handing over the party to Fintiri. The party will boil down to crisis and it will not go well for it to form the next government,” he said.

Hong concluded by assuring supporters that the APC remains positioned for victory in 2027, whether Fintiri stays in the PDP or if National Security Adviser Malam Nuhu Ribadu is allowed to lead the party in the state.

The defection and remarks come amid heightened speculation about Governor Fintiri’s possible switch to the APC, fueled by recent developments including President Bola Tinubu’s working visit to the state and widespread APC branding across Yola.