‘Return To Dubai Now’, Presidency Taunts Atiku As Fintiri Joins APC

The Presidency, on Friday, declared that the time was ‘nigh for Atiku to consider retiring from politics and going to his second home in Dubai’, following the defection of the governor of his native Adamawa State, Umaru Fintiri, to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The statement was made by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, in a post on his verified X handle on Friday, where he described Fintiri’s move as a “big blow” to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

In a pointed remark, Onanuga questioned Atiku’s political standing in his home state of Adamawa.

“If a politician is not so popular at home, he has no business selling his candidacy to outsiders. The time is nigh for Atiku to consider retiring from politics and going to his second home in Dubai,” he added.

Onanuga wrote, “Big Blow for Atiku in Adamawa: Fintiri joins APC, making Tinubu’s party a juggernaut in the state.”

According to him, Governor Fintiri’s decision to dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the APC effectively hands over Atiku’s political stronghold to President Bola Tinubu’s party.

“Adamawa Governor Umaru Fintiri joins the All Progressives Congress, APC, taking away Abubakar Atiku’s entire home base to President Tinubu’s party,” Onanuga stated.

He noted that Fintiri announced his defection in a statewide broadcast on Friday morning, citing what the governor described as the “developmental interest” of the people of Adamawa State as the driving force behind his decision.

Beyond his personal switch, Onanuga said the governor moved with the full weight of the PDP structure in the state.

“He also announced that he has not left his former party, the PDP, alone. All members of his cabinet, lawmakers and other PDP officials in the state moved with him to the APC, thus fortifying the APC’s advantage and presence in the state,” the presidential aide wrote.

Onanuga argued that the development significantly alters the political landscape in Adamawa, long regarded as Atiku’s home base.

“What this means for Atiku: With the presidential election less than a year away, Fintiri’s defection is surely a big blow to veteran presidential runner Atiku Abubakar. His ADC is largely unknown in the state. He certainly needs to reassess his ambition, as his governor has turned the APC into an Adamawa juggernaut,” he said.

Fintiri’s defection marks a major shift in Adamawa’s political alignment and may reshape calculations ahead of the next general election, particularly for Atiku, who has previously relied on strong support from his home state in his presidential bids.