Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State has backed the principle of rotational presidency ahead of the 2027 general elections, declaring that no northerner should contest for the nation’s top office at this time.
Fintiri, who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), made the remarks on Tuesday during an appearance on Sunrise Daily on Channels Television.
While acknowledging that the constitution permits any qualified Nigerian to seek elective office, the governor argued that equity and national unity demand that the presidency remain in the South until it completes its eight-year cycle.
“There is no business of anybody in the north to do with the presidency at the moment. It is the turn of the south; they should complete their eight years, if we are really serious about this country. It should rotate so that we will all be brother’s keepers,” Fintiri said.
Among those widely speculated to be eyeing the presidency is former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the PDP’s candidate in the 2023 election. The Adamawa-born politician has since joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as part of a coalition effort ahead of 2027.
Fintiri, however, threw his weight behind incumbent President Bola Tinubu, who has secured the backing of the APC.
“What else do we want as a state? We won’t force anybody to be a presidential candidate, which means we will continue to support our people to play local politics,” he said.
“Everybody knows we are organized, and if we push further, we can still win elections. But who is that person who has come out to say he wants to contest for the presidential election in the PDP? We have seen none for now.”
Responding to questions about his relationship with Atiku, who holds the traditional title of Waziri of Adamawa, Fintiri dismissed suggestions of a fallout.
“I still have, there is nothing that has gone bad. It is just that everybody has taken their political ways. I am today in APC, they are in another party,” he said.
Reiterating his position on power rotation, the governor stressed the importance of national stability.
“It is still the turn of the south to complete. A northerner has no business at the moment to vie for the office of the President.
“If there is no other candidate, we should support Bola Tinubu GCFR to complete his tenure. After all, he has done so much. He initiated good policies that are working, that are showing us light at the end of the tunnel,” he added.
