2027: Fintiri says it’s south’s turn, endorses Tinubu for second term

The governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, has expressed support for rotational presidency ahead of the 2027 general election, saying northerners should not contest for the office when it is the turn of the south.

Fintiri made the remarks on Tuesday during an appearance on Sunrise Daily on Channels Television.

The governor, who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), said although the constitution allows anyone to contest for public office, fairness and national unity require that the presidency remain in the south.

“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,” he said.

Fintiri added that if the rotational arrangement is respected, political actors from the north should instead focus on local politics while the south completes its turn.

Among prominent northern politicians linked with the 2027 race is former vice-president, Atiku Abubakar, who was the presidential candidate of the PDP in the 2023 election.

The Adamawa-born politician has since left the PDP for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), as part of efforts to pursue his long-standing presidential ambition.

However, Fintiri urged support for the incumbent president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who he said deserves to complete a second term in office.

“If there is no other candidate, we should support Bola Tinubu to complete his tenure. After all, he has done so much. He initiated good policies that are working and showing us light at the end of the tunnel,” the governor said.

Despite political differences, Fintiri said he still maintains a cordial relationship with Atiku.

“I still have [a good relationship]. Nothing 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.

According to him, maintaining stability in Nigeria’s political system requires respect for the principle of power rotation between the north and the south.