The defection of Ahmadu Fintiri to the All Progressives Congress on Friday encountered an early hitch as Adamu Atiku, son of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, refused to join the ruling party.
Fintiri had announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party during a statewide broadcast, disclosing that 22 of the 24 commissioners in his cabinet moved with him to the APC.
However, Adamu, who serves as Commissioner for Works and Energy Development, and the Commissioner for Livestock, Maksha Atiku, were absent at the Government House when the governor unveiled his decision to switch parties.
Findings indicated that a handwritten register containing the names and signatures of commissioners who aligned with the governor did not include Adamu and Maksha, suggesting their resolve to remain in the PDP.
A senior government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, attributed Adamu’s stance to loyalty to his father, noting that defecting to another party could create mixed political signals regarding the former vice president’s position.
The source added that Maksha Atiku, described as a close ally of Atiku Abubakar, also opted to stay back in deference to the PDP leadership despite the governor’s move.
Meanwhile, the PDP’s National Working Committee, led by Tanimu Turaki, criticised Fintiri’s action, branding it a betrayal and accusing him of turning his back on the party that facilitated his political ascent.