The Digest
Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri has declared that no northerner should contest the 2027 presidential election, insisting the south should be allowed to complete its eight-year tenure in the interest of national unity. Speaking on Channels Television's Sunrise Daily, Fintiri stated, "It is still the turn of the south. A northerner has no business at the moment to vie for the office of the president." The governor, who recently defected from the PDP to the APC, urged Nigerians to rally behind President Bola Tinubu to complete eight years in office, citing his policies as "working, showing us light at the end of the tunnel." On his relationship with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Fintiri said there is no breakdown in communication but they have taken different political paths. Atiku, who hails from Adamawa, has expressed intention to contest the ADC presidential ticket in 2027.
Key Points
- Fintiri's statement reinforces the informal zoning arrangement that power should rotate between north and south.
- The call for southern completion of eight years implicitly supports Tinubu's potential second term bid.
- The declaration directly challenges Atiku's presidential ambition from the same state.
- Fintiri's defection to APC and this stance signal his alignment with the ruling party's 2027 strategy.
- The emphasis on national unity frames the zoning argument as a stability imperative rather than political convenience.
Sources: Channels Television Interview
