By SALISU SANI-IDRIS

Vice President Kashim Shettima, says Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa and his teeming supporters are not joining the All Progressives Congress (APC) as strangers but as partners in nation building.

Shettima said this on Monday in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, when he formally received Gov. Fintri and his supporters into the APC on behalf of President Bola Tinubu.

According to him, the governor’s entry into the APC’s fold is a reminder that democracy can also be sustained by the responsibility of political leaders to make choices that strengthen the system they serve. And not only by the people’s hallowed mandate.

Shettima told the new party entrants that their arrival was an alignment with a vision that places Nigerians at the centre of governance.

According to him, APC is a party that understands that power is not an end, but a responsibility.

“On behalf of His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, I extend a warm and sincere welcome to you, Gov. Fintiri, and to all your supporters who have made this journey today.

“You are not strangers to this house. You are partners in a shared mission—to build a nation that works, a democracy that delivers, and a future that rewards the aspirations of our people.”

Shettima described democracy as the marketplace of choices “where preferences are tested, where convictions are weighed.

“And where the will of the people finds expression,” noting that under President Bola Tinubu, the APC has shown progressive leadership.

“I am therefore excited to join you in another endorsement of the progressive politics the All Progressives Congress has demonstrated under the leadership of President Tinubu,” he said.

The vice president said that he was in Yola because the party had become a platform worthy of the trust of Nigerians.

“The mass exodus from other political parties to the APC fold is an indication that when given alternatives, the people will always gravitate towards structure, vision, order, and towards a party that understands the burden of governance.”

He acknowledged that the governing party needs the wisdom and fresh ideas of those who have walked the long road of public service to keep it alive to current demands and future uncertainties.

Shettima also said that Gov. Fintiri’s entry into the APC was an infusion of new thinking into the party ranks.

“Political parties must breathe. They must adapt. They must draw strength from diversity of thought if they are to endure.

“This convergence, therefore, is not an end in itself; it is a renewal of purpose, and hope,” he added.

He commended Fintiri’s stewardship in Adamawa, acknowledging the roads, public works, and other quiet signs of development that greet every visitor on arrival in Yola.

“These not only testify to governor’s diligence and commitment but are also evidence of purposeful governance he has demonstrated.

“They speak of a leadership that understands that governance is measured in results. For this, Your Excellency, we salute your work ethic, and we look forward to forging a partnership that advances not just Adamawa State, but the entire nation. “

Shettima also urged party faithful to build a political movement that remains the choice of Nigerians both by design and performance.

The APC National Chairman, Prof. Nantawe Yilwatda, also praised Fintiri for infrastructure development in Adamawa.

Yilwatda also applauded the governor’s strides in education, health and other critical sectors of the economy in the state.

“Your Excellency, I am proud of you. You are too good to be in the opposition. You are good to belong to the progressives, Your Excellency, you are welcome to where you rightly belong,” he stated.

The President of Senate, Godswill Akpabio, hailed Fintriri for making a bold decision by joining the progressives, noting that the governor has done well in the state.

Represented by the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, Akpabio said having joined the APC, Fintri now has the opportunity to interact with fellow APC governors.

According to him, the movement has enabled Adamawa to join the mainstream of national politics in the country.

The Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo, recalled that APC was the only party that assumed office with a vision of a Renewed Hope Agenda, pioneered and authored by President Tinubu.

Uzodimma, who described the APC as a brand, added that “it is either APC or nothing and congratulated Nigerians for acknowledging the achievements of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The PGF chairman said that the coming of Adamawa governor to APC would usher greater progress and development to the state.

Responding, Fintiri said he joined the APC to realign with the good policies and programmes of the Tinubu’s administration that were already working, placing Nigeria in the comity of great nations.

“Mr President has done so much and has put the country on a recovery path, especially the microeconomic policies of the administration.

“So, we have come with good number to support him and support the APC to win the 2027 elections,” he said.

The governor, who assured that with him in the state, the road to 2027 will not be bumpy for the APC and President Tinubu, promised a landslide victory for the party.

Fintiri maintained his stance that “the South must complete their eight years,” urging every Nigerian to support Mr President to complete his eight-year tenure.

The highlight of the event was the handover of the APC flag to Gov. Fintriri as the leader of the party in Adamawa State.

Meanwhile, shortly after receiving the governor into the APC fold, the vice-president paid a courtesy visit to Dr Barkindo Musdafa, the Lamido of Adamawa and Chairman, Adamawa State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs.

She reaffirmed the commitment of the Tinubu administration to preserving and protecting the traditional institution in the country.

“Your Royal Highnesses, I’m bringing you glad tidings from His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“You are the custodians of our rich cultural heritage; you are the permanent pictures in our lives.

“We adore you, we respect you, we appreciate you because you are the last line of contact with the grassroots.

“All of us here are your sons and daughters. Incidentally, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the Asiwaju of Lagos.

“He is also the Jagaban of Borgu Emirate in Niger State. So, he is part of the traditional establishment and he respects, cherishes and adores you,” he said.

Responding, the Lamido of Adamawa commended the president and his vice for their leadership and commitment to national development. (NAN)

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