Presidency Mocks Atiku After Fintiri Defects to APC, Urges Him to Retire to Dubai

Presidency Mocks Atiku After Fintiri Defects to APC, Urges Him to Retire to Dubai

The Presidency of Nigeria has taunted former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, urging him to consider retiring from partisan politics and relocating to his “second home in Dubai,” following the defection of Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, made the remarks on social media Friday, describing the defection as a “big blow” to Atiku’s political influence in his home state. Onanuga said the move shows that the former vice president is losing his support base in Adamawa, a region long considered his stronghold.

According to the Presidency, Fintiri’s defection, which included members of his cabinet, state lawmakers, and PDP officials, has effectively strengthened the APC’s position in the state. Onanuga argued that a politician who lacks strong support at home cannot successfully market his candidacy nationally, emphasizing that Atiku’s ADC is “largely unknown” in his own state.

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“Big blow for Atiku in Adamawa: Fintiri joins APC, making Tinubu’s party a juggernaut in the state,” Onanuga said, noting that with the 2027 presidential election less than a year away, the development significantly undermines Atiku’s presidential ambitions.

Fintiri officially cited alignment with the federal government’s development agenda as a key reason for his defection. Political analysts describe the move as a major realignment in the North-East, as Adamawa — historically a PDP stronghold — now leans toward the APC, potentially reshaping party dynamics ahead of the 2027 elections.

Atiku has not yet issued a formal response to the Presidency’s comments, but he remains publicly committed to the PDP and the opposition coalition. The defection has intensified debates on political loyalty, party strength, and electoral strategy in Nigeria’s northeast region.

Presidency Mocks Atiku After Fintiri Defects to APC, Urges Him to Retire to Dubai