A fresh power struggle is brewing within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa State, as Governor Ahmadu Fintiri and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu battle for control of the party’s structure ahead of the 2027 elections.
What started as a strategic political move has quickly turned into a fierce contest for dominance, with both camps fighting to control party leadership, influence delegate selection, and shape who emerges as candidates in the next election cycle.
Sources within the party say the conflict is driven less by ideology and more by political survival and influence. Fintiri, who recently joined the APC with strong grassroots backing, is seeking to establish authority as the sitting governor. On the other hand, Ribadu, a long-standing party figure with strong federal ties and loyal supporters, is pushing back against what his camp sees as an attempt to take over the party structure.
The rivalry has led to the formation of parallel camps, with both sides mobilising supporters and preparing for a major showdown at upcoming party congresses. The stakes are high, as control of the party structure often determines who gets the party ticket.
Tensions escalated further during the APC North-East Zonal Congress in Gombe, where Barrister Shuaibu Idris, backed by Ribadu, emerged as zonal chairman. The outcome was seen as a major win for Ribadu’s camp and a setback for Fintiri’s allies.
Fintiri’s preferred candidate, Jarengol, lost the contest, sparking complaints from his supporters, who described the process as unfair and exclusionary. One of his allies, Ibrahim Mohammed, criticised the exercise, saying it reflected a breakdown of internal democracy.
Some party members have begun drawing comparisons with past political crises, warning that similar issues around candidate imposition could hurt the party if not addressed. There are also allegations that plans are underway to impose a preferred successor, a move critics say could create deeper divisions.
The fallout from the congress has further widened the gap between both camps, raising concerns about possible defections, internal conflicts, and weakened party unity in the state. Many party insiders believe that unless urgent steps are taken to reconcile both sides, the situation could escalate into a full-blown crisis.
