The entire leadership of local government administration in Adamawa State has switched political allegiance. All 21 local government chairmen and 226 councillors resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday, October 19, 2026, and formally joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The mass defection was confirmed by the APC state publicity secretary, Victor Dogo, who linked the move to the chairmen's loyalty to Governor Ahmadu Fintiri.
Mass Defection Across All 21 LGAs
According to reports from Daily Trust, the 21 council chairmen addressed resignation letters to their respective ward chairmen across all 21 local government areas in the state. The letters, several of which cited personal reasons following consultations with family members and political associates, marked a coordinated exit from the PDP. Alongside the chairmen, a total of 226 councillors also moved to the APC, effectively emptying the PDP's local government structure in the state.
The defection was not limited to elected officials. The Adamawa State APC Publicity Secretary, Victor Dogo, confirmed that all 21 chairmen, area development administrators, and the 226 councillors formally joined the party on Monday. Dogo said the move was driven by their attachment to Governor Fintiri, describing the governor as a political godfather who paved the way for their careers.
Demsa Chairman Explains His Decision
Akham Jalo, chairman of Demsa Local Government Area, spoke publicly about his defection, saying his move was driven by a desire to open more doors for his constituency. In his resignation letter, Jalo said: "My decision to join the APC was informed by the need to align with the progressive vision of His Excellency, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri and to attract more dividends of democracy to the people of Demsa."
He added: "This movement is for collective progress, unity and development, and my administration remains committed to good governance, peace and the welfare of the people." Jalo thanked the PDP leadership for the opportunity to serve and urged his supporters to remain calm and rally behind the APC. He said the defection would bring accelerated development to Demsa, Adamawa State, and Nigeria at large.
APC Confirms and Political Analysts Weigh In
According to TVC News, the Adamawa State APC Publicity Secretary, Victor Dogo, confirmed the mass defection, stating: "They are all aligning with their godfather, Governor Fintiri, who paved the way for them. They said they felt they were wasting their time by not being on the same political platform as their godfather." Political analysts in the state described the defection as a calculated move that had been long in the making.
The defection comes ahead of the 2027 general elections, reshaping the political landscape in Adamawa State. The APC now holds a commanding presence at the local government level, while the PDP loses its entire local government leadership. The move is expected to have significant implications for party strength and voter mobilization in the upcoming electoral cycle.
