Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, has declared his support for the rotational presidency principle ahead of the 2027 general election, stressing that aspirants from the North should not join the contest.
The governor, who recently left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC), made the remarks on Tuesday during an appearance on Sunrise Daily on Channels Television.
He acknowledged that the constitution permits any qualified Nigerian to seek public office but maintained that, in the spirit of equity and national cohesion, the presidency should 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,” the governor said.
Among those believed to be eyeing the presidency is former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the PDP’s candidate in the 2023 election.
The 79-year-old politician from Adamawa State has since moved from the PDP to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as part of efforts to pursue his long-standing presidential ambition.
However, Fintiri urged backing for incumbent President Bola Tinubu, a former Lagos State governor who has secured the endorsement 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.
“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.
Addressing questions about his relationship with the Waziri of Adamawa, Fintiri confirmed that it remains cordial despite political differences.
“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.”
The governor reiterated that national stability should take precedence in political calculations.
“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.