Political war looms in Adamawa as Gov Fintiri, Ribadu struggle over APC structure

A fierce political battle is brewing within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa State, as Governor Ahmadu Fintiri and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, engage in a high-stakes struggle for control of the party’s structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.

What initially appeared as a strategic political realignment has quickly escalated into a supremacy contest, with both camps seeking dominance over party machinery, leadership positions, and the delegate system that will determine future candidates.

Insiders within the party say the conflict is driven less by ideology and more by political survival, influence, and control of Adamawa’s political future.

Fintiri, leveraging his position as governor and a strong grassroots network, is reportedly pushing to consolidate authority within the party following his recent defection. However, Ribadu, a long-standing APC figure with deep federal ties and an established support base in the state, is said to be resisting what his loyalists describe as an attempted takeover by new entrants.

The crisis has since deepened, with both factions forming parallel alignments and mobilising supporters ahead of anticipated party congresses that could determine control of the structure.

Tensions intensified during the APC North-East Zonal Congress in Gombe, where Barrister Shuaibu Idris, believed to be aligned with Ribadu, emerged as zonal chairman — a development widely interpreted as a strategic victory for the National Security Adviser’s camp.

Fintiri’s preferred candidate, Jarengol, lost out in the contest, triggering allegations of manipulation and further widening the rift within the party.

Sources close to the governor described the outcome as a “calculated exclusion,” warning that it reflects a broader attempt to diminish Fintiri’s influence within the APC’s North-East hierarchy.

An ally of the governor, Ibrahim Mohammed, criticised the exercise, describing it as a “sham” and a reflection of declining internal democracy within the party.

“What happened shows a total collapse of internal democracy. Aspirants were shut out,” he said.

Party members have begun drawing comparisons with the 2015 PDP Primaries, cautioning that a repeat of imposition tactics could destabilise the party.

They also accused the Ribadu camp of plotting to impose Ahmed Aminu Galadima as Fintiri’s successor, warning that such a move could trigger internal resistance and electoral backlash.

Former aspirant Jabatawa James alleged that the unfolding scenario mirrors past imposition strategies, raising concerns over the credibility of future primaries. Another party member, Aliyu Abdullahi, described the congress as a “shambolic drama” and urged party leaders to prioritise transparency to avoid a looming crisis.

The fallout from the Gombe congress has further entrenched divisions, with fears of a full-blown factional split if urgent reconciliation efforts are not initiated.

Party insiders warn that the escalating tensions could lead to defections, anti-party activities, and a weakening of the APC’s political strength in Adamawa and the wider North-East region ahead of the next electoral cycle.

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