2027: Presidency should remain in the South  —  Gov Fintiri insists

2026-03-03 - 10:38

Governor Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State has insisted that the presidency should remain in the southern part of the country in 2027, saying the region deserves to complete eight years in line with Nigeria’s long-standing power-sharing understanding. Speaking on Tuesday on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, the governor said although zoning is not provided for in the constitution, it remains important for national unity. “A northerner has no business at the moment to vie for the office of the president,” Fintiri said. “It is the South’s turn; they should complete their eight years if we are really serious about this country and leadership,” he added. President Bola Tinubu, who is from the South, is currently serving his first term. Fintiri also spoke on his relationship with former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, saying it remains cordial despite his recent defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the ruling All Progressives Congress. According to him, political differences have not affected their personal ties. “I still have. There is nothing that has gone bad. It is just that everybody has taken their political ways, and I am today in APC, they are in another party,” the governor said. Atiku, who is also from Adamawa State, is seeking the presidency ahead of the 2027 general election and is now working with the African Democratic Congress. Fintiri, who recently joined the APC, also defended his decision amid growing criticism over the increasing number of defections to the ruling party and claims that Nigeria is drifting towards a one-party system. The governor said his move was motivated by what he described as the need to better position Adamawa State to benefit from the federal government. “The move was purely in the interest of the people and the state... because for long, it is not about winning elections but aligning and getting more for our people,” he said. Fintiri, who is serving his second and final term in office, maintained that his political realignment was aimed at securing greater opportunities and development for the state. Vanguard News