PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu is set to embark on a one-day official visit to Adamawa State on Monday, a trip that has triggered renewed speculation about Governor Ahmadu Fintiri’s possible defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
News Point Nigeria reports that the visit to Yola, the Adamawa State capital, comes amid visible political rebranding across the city, with APC flags and billboards dominating major streets and several PDP insignia reportedly removed.
The President’s trip was announced on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement outlining Tinubu’s schedule.
During the visit, Tinubu is expected to inaugurate several completed infrastructure projects in Yola and Jimeta, including the eight-lane Galadima Aminu Road linking Gimba with the state capital.
He will also commission a model school comprising pre-primary, primary, and junior secondary sections, a new multipurpose hall, a remodelled High Court complex, a newly built officers’ complex, and the renovated Government House.
In addition to project commissioning, the President is scheduled to meet political leaders, traditional rulers and key stakeholders in the state.
The visit comes less than 48 hours after Tinubu’s official engagement in Kebbi State, underscoring an active schedule of state visits.
Ahead of the President’s arrival, Yola witnessed a surge in APC branding, with party flags and billboards prominently displayed along major roads, including the Yola International Airport Road.
During visits to various parts of the city, workers were seen repainting road kerbs in black and white, while security operatives, including heavily armed personnel and armoured vehicles, were deployed to strategic locations to ensure tight security.
The visible shift in political branding has fuelled speculation that Governor Fintiri may be preparing to defect to the APC.
APC officials at both state and national levels have openly acknowledged discussions with Fintiri.
The party’s Adamawa spokesman, Alhaji Mohammed Abdullahi, had previously stated that negotiations were underway and expressed confidence that the governor would join the ruling party before the 2027 general election.
Similarly, the APC North East National Vice Chairman, Mustapha Salihu, confirmed in December 2025 that talks were ongoing, describing political association as a constitutional right.
“It is unconstitutional to stop anyone from joining any association of his interest. Politics is about numbers, and we in APC will be glad if Governor Fintiri joins us to build Nigeria together,” Salihu said at the time.
A serving member of the House of Representatives from Adamawa, who spoke on condition of anonymity, claimed that Fintiri had briefed senior PDP figures about his intention to defect shortly after the President’s visit.
“The governor has officially briefed top PDP members of his plans to join the APC. The President’s visit is part of broader political engagements,” the lawmaker alleged.
Another PDP lawmaker, however, suggested that not all National Assembly members elected on the PDP platform would necessarily follow the governor should he defect.
The Adamawa PDP dismissed the speculation, arguing that political allegiance is not defined by street branding.
The party’s publicity secretary, Victor Dogo, said the President’s visit to inaugurate projects with direct impact on residents demonstrated governance cooperation rather than partisan realignment.
“PDP believes in results, not mounting flags on streets that cannot bring development to the people of Adamawa State,” Dogo said.
He added that defection was not a criminal act and suggested that if the governor chose to switch parties, many party members in the state might align with him.
“If the governor is moving, we are all going with him. We are not looking at the party, but what he represents national unity and development,” he said.
Speaking last week, Governor Fintiri maintained that politics is about serving the people, noting that he would follow the wishes of his constituents if they supported a move to the APC.