ADAMAWA GOVERNOR FINTIRI DEFECTS TO APC, ONANUGA TAKES AIM AT ATIKU
Adamawa State Governor, Umaru Fintiri, has announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), a move he declared in a statewide broadcast on Friday morning. Fintiri stated that his decision was made "in the interest of Adamawa people and to attract more development to the state," emphasizing that "working closely with the federal government would help bring more projects and benefits to residents." The governor also disclosed that his defection was accompanied by several members of the State House of Assembly, commissioners, and party officials who have also moved to the ruling party. This mass defection is anticipated to strengthen the APC's political structure within Adamawa State. Reacting to the announcement, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, took to his social media page to direct comments at former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, who also hails from Adamawa State. Onanuga stated that "any politician who lacks strong backing in his home state should not attempt to market himself to the rest of the country," a comment widely interpreted as a direct jab at Atiku. This development has ignited fresh political discussions across Adamawa State, which has historically been a strong base for the PDP. Governor Fintiri's decision signifies a notable shift in the state’s political alignment.
BOKO HARAM, ISWAP ATTACK IN ADAMAWA KILLS 27, INCLUDING GOVERNOR’S COUSIN
Madagali, Adamawa State – No fewer than 27 persons have been murdered in a brutal attack carried out by a joint force of Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists in the Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State in the early hours of Wednesday. Reports indicate that the terrorists overran the Shuwari Sholi community, killing residents and burning structures in an assault that lasted several hours. Among those confirmed dead is Bademi Papka, the village head of Shuwari, who has been identified as a cousin of Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri. An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described how the attackers stormed the community on motorcycles, specifically targeting villagers gathered near the village market and at the market square. "They started shooting at people sitting together under a tree near the market," the eyewitness recounted. The eyewitness further noted that residents fled in various directions for safety as the insurgents fired sporadically. "By God’s grace, some of us escaped unhurt, but many were shot dead while we scampered toward the mountains," the source added. It was also noted that military personnel in the area were alerted, but arrived only after the attackers had already left the scene. "The situation is a bit calm now, but we are still living in fear and uncertainty. We are calling on the government to redouble efforts to address this menace," the eyewitness pleaded. Confirming the incident, former Madagali Local Government chairman, Maina Ularamu, acknowledged that the attack indeed took place, though he stated that casualty figures varied. "Some reports say about 20 people were killed, while others suggest the number is higher. The exact figure will only be known once people have settled after the initial fear and chaos," Ularamu stated. This tragic event comes despite repeated assurances from security agencies and government officials regarding safety. Many communities in northern Nigeria continue to face daily threats from heavily armed criminal gangs operating with relative impunity.
