Alhaji Hamza Bello Madagali, the former Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Adamawa State, has emerged as the new Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following a high-stakes state congress held at Mahmud Ribadu Square in Yola.
The election, which concluded late Saturday evening, marks a significant shift in the state’s political landscape and further cements Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri’s transition into the APC.
Madagali’s emergence came after a strategic concessionary agreement between loyalists of Governor Fintiri and those of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
The consensus arrangement ended weeks of intense consultation and speculation over which political bloc would control the party hierarchy.
Madagali, who defected from the PDP alongside the governor, was seen as a bridge between the merging factions.
In his acceptance speech, he described the role as a call to service and pledged to run an inclusive administration. He said his immediate priority would be reconciliation among members to ensure the party is unified ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He also committed to upholding internal party democracy and promised that major decisions would only be made after wide consultations with stakeholders.
Addressing delegates, Governor Fintiri described the congress as the final stage of a political fusion that began with his move from the PDP.
He praised President Bola Tinubu, APC National Chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, and Mallam Nuhu Ribadu for their roles in midwifing the alliance.
The governor noted that the successful completion of ward, local government, and state congresses showed that both the “old” APC and the defecting PDP groups recognised the mutual benefit of working together.
Looking ahead to 2027, Fintiri launched an aggressive campaign strategy to deliver Adamawa to the APC. He announced the formation of the “Adamawa Renewed Hope 226 Movement” (ARH226M), with himself as Patron and the Deputy Governor as Chairman.
He directed all existing support groups to merge into the movement to ensure a cohesive campaign presence across all 226 wards in the state.
