YOLA: Fresh political developments have unsettled the political landscape in Adamawa State following the defection of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Wesley Bathiya, alongside 14 lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The mass resignation has intensified speculation surrounding the alleged plan by Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri to defect from the PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Political observers describe the coordinated move by the Speaker and the lawmakers as a strategic political realignment designed to consolidate legislative support ahead of the governor’s anticipated transition to the APC.
Reports indicate that the lawmakers formally announced their resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party during plenary, effectively altering the political balance within the 25-member State Assembly.
The development follows earlier indications that the APC leadership had reportedly suspended its planned state congresses in Adamawa to accommodate Governor Fintiri and his political structure — a decision widely interpreted as an effort to ease his entry into the ruling party without internal opposition.
The suspension of the congresses reportedly generated concerns among some APC stakeholders who questioned whether internal democratic procedures were being compromised to facilitate a high-profile defection.
With the Speaker and a significant bloc of lawmakers now exiting the PDP, the Adamawa State House of Assembly is believed to have tilted in favour of the APC, signaling what analysts describe as a near collapse of the PDP’s legislative dominance in the state.
However, uncertainty remains over the political position of the lawmaker representing Lamurde Constituency, Build Bauna, who was absent during proceedings where the defections were announced and has yet to publicly declare his stance.
Efforts to obtain official confirmation from Governor Fintiri’s camp regarding the reported defection plans were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
Nevertheless, sources within both political camps maintain that the unfolding developments form part of a carefully coordinated political recalibration capable of reshaping Adamawa’s political dynamics in the lead-up to 2027.
The latest defections underscore growing realignments within Nigeria’s political space as parties reposition ahead of the next electoral cycle.
