The Speaker of the Adamawa State House of Assembly, Bathiya Wesley, has denied reports that he is planning to dump the All Progressives Congress for the Action Peoples Movement, APM, as political realignments continue to gather momentum in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The denial comes at a particularly sensitive time for the Adamawa political scene, with several prominent politicians changing parties and fresh speculation emerging over who could be the next major political figure to cross the divide.
Wesley’s name reportedly became the subject of speculation following the recent defection of former Speaker Kabiru Mijinyawa from the APC to the APM.
Mijinyawa, who represents Yola South State Constituency in the Adamawa State House of Assembly, announced his departure from the ruling party alongside thousands of supporters. His decision added another layer of uncertainty to the political calculations already taking place across the state.
But while Mijinyawa has chosen a new political platform, Wesley says he is not following the same path.
The Speaker, through his Press Secretary, Bernard Hyellamada, dismissed the reports linking him with the APM and insisted that Wesley remains committed to the APC.
According to Hyellamada, the Speaker has no immediate plan to leave the party and intends to remain with the APC through the 2027 general elections.
The clarification is significant because Wesley occupies one of the most influential political positions in the state. As Speaker of the House, his political decision could potentially influence conversations within the Assembly and among supporters across his constituency.
The controversy also comes against the background of considerable political movement in Adamawa since the beginning of 2026.
In February, Wesley and 14 other lawmakers resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party before eventually joining the APC following Governor Ahmadu Fintiri’s decision to move from the PDP to the ruling party.
The mass movement dramatically changed the political structure of the Adamawa State House of Assembly. Fintiri had announced his defection to the APC after months of speculation, saying the decision was taken in what he described as the best developmental interest of Adamawa State.
The governor moved into the APC with members of his cabinet, PDP officials and supporters, describing the move as a strategic political realignment that would give the state greater access to the centre.
Wesley and other lawmakers followed that political direction, making the APC a dominant force in the state legislature.
Months later, however, the political atmosphere has become more complicated.
Mijinyawa, a former Speaker of the Assembly, has now left the APC for the APM. His defection has attracted attention because of his political history and his position as a serving member of the state legislature.
His movement has also fuelled questions about whether other politicians who were part of the APC’s growing structure in Adamawa could eventually reconsider their positions.
It was against this background that speculation about Wesley began circulating.
The Speaker’s camp, however, has moved quickly to put the rumours to rest.
Hyellamada described the report as false and maintained that Wesley has invested significant political effort in strengthening the APC.
For the Speaker, remaining in the APC could be particularly important as the party prepares for the next electoral cycle. With the 2027 elections approaching, political parties are already dealing with questions surrounding nominations, constituency interests, alliances and the balance of power at both state and national levels.
Adamawa is expected to remain one of the states attracting considerable political attention because of its strategic importance in northern Nigeria.
The state has also witnessed several political movements in recent months. Apart from Mijinyawa’s defection, other politicians have changed platforms, while disagreements over party primaries and internal democracy have generated fresh debate.
The APC has repeatedly defended its internal processes and insisted that the party remains strong despite the movements of some members.
For Wesley, the latest denial suggests that he is choosing stability within the APC rather than joining the growing list of politicians changing political platforms.
His decision could also provide some reassurance to party leaders who are attempting to consolidate the APC’s structure in Adamawa ahead of 2027.
However, Nigerian politics has a history of shifting alliances, particularly as elections draw closer. Political positions can change quickly as negotiations intensify and politicians assess their chances under different platforms.
For now, though, Wesley has made his position clear.
He is staying with the APC and, according to his spokesman, has no plan to defect to the APM.
The development leaves the Adamawa political landscape in an interesting position. While one former Speaker has already moved away from the APC, the serving Speaker is publicly reaffirming his commitment to the ruling party.
With the 2027 elections drawing closer, attention will remain focused on Adamawa as politicians continue to reposition themselves and parties work to strengthen their structures.
For Wesley, the immediate message is simple: despite the rumours and the latest political movements around him, he remains firmly within the APC camp.
