Adamawa Speaker and Multiple Lawmakers Exit PDP Amid Political Turmoil
In a significant political development, Bathiya Wesley, the Speaker of the Adamawa State House of Assembly, has formally resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). This move was confirmed through a letter dated Wednesday, February 25, addressed to the PDP chairman in Hong Ward, Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State. The resignation marks a pivotal moment in the state's political landscape, as it coincides with a wave of defections among state lawmakers.
Mass Defections Hit Adamawa PDP
Alongside Speaker Wesley, Majority Leader Kate Mamuno and six other state lawmakers announced their departure from the PDP on the same day. The defectors include Pwamwakeno Mackondo of Numan Constituency, Musa Mahmud Kallamu of Mayo Belwa Constituency, Moses Yerima Zah of Michika Constituency, Adun John Alaba of Uba Gaya Constituency, Bulus Kantom of Shelleng Constituency, and Japhet Hammanjabu of Verre Constituency. This brings the total number of lawmakers leaving the PDP to eight in a single day, following earlier resignations earlier in the week.
According to reports, the first wave of defections occurred on Monday, February 23, when Abdullahi Abubakar of Girei Constituency left the party. This was followed by six additional PDP lawmakers resigning on Tuesday, February 24. The lawmakers cited the ongoing crisis within the PDP at the national level as a primary reason for their departure, highlighting internal discord as a driving factor behind the mass exodus.
Governor Fintiri's Anticipated Move to APC
Adding to the political upheaval, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State is reportedly finalizing plans to defect from the PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Sources indicate that Governor Fintiri has engaged in extensive consultations ahead of this potential switch. His planned defection follows a recent visit by President Bola Tinubu to Adamawa State, where the president commended the governor's performance and described his administration's impact as transformative.
If Governor Fintiri proceeds with the defection, he would join Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas in leaving the PDP, further diminishing the party's presence in the North-east geopolitical zone. After the 2023 elections, the PDP held governorship seats in three of the six states in the region: Adamawa, Bauchi, and Taraba. With these defections, the PDP may soon only control Bauchi State in the North-east, significantly weakening its influence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Implications for PDP and 2027 Elections
The resignations of key figures like Speaker Bathiya Wesley and the potential defection of Governor Fintiri represent a major blow to the PDP's political strength in Adamawa State and the broader North-east region. In a statement on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Wesley expressed gratitude to his supporters, emphasizing a continued commitment to building a stronger Adamawa State and a more prosperous nation. This sentiment reflects the shifting allegiances and realignments that could reshape Nigeria's political dynamics in the lead-up to the 2027 elections.
Political analysts suggest that these defections are part of a broader trend of PDP members joining the APC, potentially altering the balance of power in key states. The PDP now faces the challenge of regrouping and addressing internal crises to prevent further losses. As the 2027 elections approach, the party's ability to retain its remaining strongholds and attract new supporters will be critical to its survival as a viable opposition force in Nigerian politics.
