From Yagana Ali, Yola

Thousands filled Mahmud Ribadu Square Monday evening for the official reception of Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri into the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Vice-President Kashim Shettima, standing in for President Bola Tinubu, presented Fintiri with the party flag and broom and said outright that the governor “automatically” becomes APC leader in Adamawa, settling weeks of quiet debate over whether that role still belonged to National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.

“As we arrived in Yola, we were welcomed not only by the people but also by the worthy projects you have put in place,” Shettima told Fintiri, praising roads and schools visible along the route.

He compared Adamawa’s arrangement to Borno’s, where governors lead their state chapters even as national figures serve in Abuja. APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda added that Fintiri should “sweep” remaining oppositions into the APC fold.

Fintiri, praised Tinubu’s macro-economic program and the Renewed Hope Agenda, saying the reforms are beginning to bite in useful ways. He argued that Adamawa belongs in the same tent as Abuja if roads, classrooms and small traders are to move faster. “This isn’t about winning for one man,” he told the crowd. “It’s about having a direct line to the centre.”

Adamawa APC chairman Shuaibu Idris embraced him at the podium’s edge, calling Fintiri a political force whose projects—new township roads, a remodeled hospital, a stretched electricity line—are visible to commuters who once bumped through potholes.

 Hope Uzodinma, Imo’s governor and chair of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, reminded people that the APC now runs most states, but said the point is delivery, not numbers.

 Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin and national chairman Nentawe Yilwatda added quick congratulations and promises of party support.

Fintiri, who moved from the PDP in February with his cabinet and local structures, thanked Tinubu and Ribadu for their support and promised to run a “partnership, not a takeover.”

 He said his first recruitment success was bringing former ADC candidate Senator Abdulazeez Nyako back into APC on Sunday and pledged to keep reaching out.

The audience included five APC governors led by Hope Uzodinma, deputies, ministers, and local youths.

For now, Fintiri’s defection has given the Square a rare night of unity, and his new colleagues say the harder work—keeping that feeling out past city limits—starts tomorrow.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) says it has fixed Tuesday, March 24, for the screening of aspirants for its national offices ahead of its March 27 National Convention.

A notice issued by the Secretary of the party’s Aspirants’ Screening Committee, Alhaji Isa Yuguda, on Sunday in Abuja, stated that the exercise would be held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel.

Yuguda, a former Governor of Bauchi State, said all aspirants who had purchased and submitted their Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms were required to appear in person.

He added that candidates were expected to arrive early at the venue with all relevant supporting documents to facilitate the verification process.

The Zamfara chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has concluded arrangements to formally welcome Dauda Lawal into the party.

This is contained in a statement issued in Gusau on Saturday by the State APC Publicity Secretary, Malam Yusuf Idris.

Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal had recently defected from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to the statement, the formal reception which is scheduled for Tuesday, March 24, will be attended by President Bola Tinubu, who will be represented by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima.

“Shettima will be accompanied by the National Executives of the party as well as the immediate past governors of Zamfara and other major stakeholders of the party in the state.

“Similarly, other APC governors, National Assembly members and other top-notch members of the APC within and outside the state are expected to attend.

“The party has already strategize on how to mobilise supporters across the board in order to ensure a smooth and successful reception for the governor,” it added.

The statement further said that various committees had also been formed to ensure a hitch-free reception in the state.

“It could be recalled that the governor recently defected from his former political party, the PDP to the APC.

“Therefore, the party appeals to all members, supporters and well-wishers to come out en masse and welcome our amiable President Bola Tinubu, who will be represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima,” it pleaded.