Adamawa Speaker Bathiya Wesley Denies Defection Rumors

Bathiya Wesley, the Speaker of the Adamawa State House of Assembly, has publicly denied rumors that he plans to defect from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Action People’s Movement (APM). This denial comes shortly after Kabiru Mijinyawa, the former Speaker and current representative for Yola-South State Constituency, defected to the APM along with thousands of supporters, citing autocratic practices within the APC.

Mijinyawa's departure followed a significant exodus of APC chieftains to the APM, led by Tahir Shehu. An unnamed APC executive member suggested that Wesley's rumored defection was motivated by a desire to secure a House of Representatives ticket after being denied the chance to contest on the APC platform.

However, Bernard Hyellamada, the Press Secretary to Wesley, refuted these claims, asserting that the Speaker remains committed to the APC until after the 2027 general elections, emphasizing his investment in the party. The internal crisis within the APC in Adamawa State reportedly began during the primary elections.