The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) has dismissed claims by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar that the defection of Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri to the All Progressives Congress (APC) was the result of administrative pressure.
In a statement issued by TMSG Chairman Emeka Nwankpa and Secretary Dapo Okubanjo, the group argued that the former Vice President’s reaction stems from the “pain” of losing his local political base and key allies to President Bola Tinubu’s political strategy.
Governor Fintiri recently dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the APC, moving along with his entire cabinet and 16 members of the State House of Assembly. Following the move, Atiku described the defection as evidence of intimidation by the current administration.
However, the TMSG characterized Atiku’s response as “lame and tepid,” suggesting that the former Vice President is the one feeling the weight of political isolation.
“We understand how painful it is for a man of the former Vice President’s political stature to lose a major local political ally, his cabinet, and the entire PDP machinery to President Bola Tinubu’s party,” the statement read.
The group further pointed out that even Atiku’s son, Abba, opted to join the ruling party rather than align with his father in the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
“It is indeed bad that Atiku, who could not convince his son or key members of his erstwhile political machinery in Adamawa to join him in his 2027 quest, wants to convince Nigerians to see him as a better alternative to President Tinubu,” the TMSG added.
Defending the defection, the TMSG attributed the shift to President Tinubu’s “bridge-building” model and his approach to federalism. The group noted that under the current administration, federation allocations to states have more than doubled, and local government autonomy has been strengthened via the Supreme Court.
The TMSG contrasted Tinubu’s political history of building parties—from the Alliance for Democracy (AD) to the APC—with what they described as Atiku’s “transactional mindset” and frequent movement between political platforms.
The group concluded by asserting that Governor Fintiri’s decision reflects a preference for President Tinubu’s “pragmatic approach to politics” over the “convoluted politicking” of the former Vice President.