A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party has condemned the defection of Governor Ahmadu Fintiri to the All Progressives Congress, describing his decision as an act of “unrestrained cowardice” and a challenge to the principles of multi-party democracy.

Fintiri’s move from the PDP to the APC followed public speculation and the governor’s formal announcement of his defection earlier in the week.

The faction’s response was delivered by the PDP National Working Committee through its National Publicity Secretary.

The faction, led by former Minister Tanimu Turaki (SAN), reminded Fintiri that “history and posterity serve as the ultimate and impartial judges of human actions”.

It cited Fintiri’s long association with the PDP and said his departure was against political principles and morality.

In a statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the faction noted that Fintiri had previously denied plans to leave the PDP even as recently as last week.

The statement reiterated that his defection was long speculated before it was officially confirmed.

The faction said Fintiri’s exit from the PDP; a platform that supported his political journey through several election cycles, “reflects unrestrained cowardice rather than the conduct of a principled politician”.

The party statement acknowledged that Fintiri’s decision was within his legal rights but maintained that it was detrimental to political principles and to the consolidation of multi-party democracy in Nigeria.

The PDP faction urged its members in Adamawa State to accept the development “with composure”, saying the true test of a person is in times of difficulty and contention.

It encouraged members to remain committed to what it described as the party’s “rebirth movement” and its goal to return the party to “winning ways”.