KEY POINTS

•  Former PDP chairman Hamza Madagali has been elected Adamawa APC chairman through a consensus deal between Fintiri and Ribadu factions.
• The development strengthens Governor Fintiri’s influence following his defection and signals a major political shift in the state.
• Fintiri has launched the “Renewed Hope 226 Movement” to unify support groups and position the APC for victory in 2027.

Alhaji Hamza Bello Madagali, a former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Adamawa State, has been elected as the new chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

His emergence followed a keenly contested state congress held at Mahmud Ribadu Square in Yola, concluding late Saturday.

The outcome signals a major political realignment in Adamawa and reinforces Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri’s growing influence within the APC following his recent defection from the PDP.

Madagali’s emergence was the result of a consensus agreement reached between supporters of Governor Fintiri and loyalists of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

The arrangement brought an end to weeks of intense negotiations over control of the party’s leadership structure in the state.

Having defected alongside the governor, Madagali was widely regarded as a unifying figure capable of bridging divides between the merging factions within the party.

In his acceptance speech, he described his election as a call to serve and pledged to run an inclusive administration.

He emphasised that his immediate focus would be on reconciling aggrieved members and fostering unity within the party ahead of the 2027 general elections. He also assured stakeholders of his commitment to internal democracy and consultative decision-making.

Fintiri describes the congress as the culmination of a broader political merger

Governor Fintiri, while addressing delegates, described the congress as the culmination of a broader political merger that began with his move to the APC.

He commended President Bola Tinubu, APC National Chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, and Mallam Nuhu Ribadu for their roles in facilitating the alliance.

According to the governor, the successful conduct of ward, local government, and state congresses demonstrates a shared commitment between legacy APC members and defectors from the PDP to work together for mutual political advantage.

Looking ahead, Fintiri unveiled an ambitious strategy aimed at delivering Adamawa State to the APC in the 2027 elections. He announced the creation of the “Adamawa Renewed Hope 226 Movement” (ARH226M), appointing himself as Patron and the Deputy Governor as Chairman.

He further directed all existing political support groups to merge under the new platform to ensure a coordinated and effective campaign structure across all 226 wards in the state.