2027: APC Risks Losing Adamawa Over Fintiri, Ribadu’s Succession Dispute — Jalo Warns

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa State, Abubakar Jalo, has warned that the party may lose the state in the 2027 governorship election if the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, is allowed to determine the successor to Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri.Governor Fintiri, who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, is set to leave office in 2027 after completing the constitutionally mandated two terms.
However, tensions are reportedly mounting between the governor and Ribadu over control of the party structure and the choice of the next governorship candidate.
Sources within the state indicate that Ribadu has strengthened his political influence following the emergence of Idris Shuaibu, a former Adamawa APC chairman, as North-East Vice Chairman during the party’s recent National Congress in Abuja.
At the congress, members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) were elected by consensus, including National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda and National Secretary Senator Ajibola Basiru.
Speaking with The Punch, Jalo alleged that the NSA is working aggressively to install a loyalist as the next governor, warning that such a move could trigger backlash within the party.
“Some people are working for a Fulani candidate on the APC platform come 2027, but that will be the end of the party during the governorship poll,” Jalo said.
He cautioned that supporters of the incumbent governor might revolt electorally if Fintiri is denied the opportunity to influence his successor.
“We in Adamawa are all for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, but for governorship, we are counting on our governor to pick his successor,” he added.
Jalo referenced the 2015 governorship election, claiming that Ribadu’s emergence as PDP candidate at the time—allegedly through imposition—led to the party’s defeat in the state.
“When Ribadu was imposed on the PDP as governorship candidate in 2015, he lost, even in his own voting unit,” Jalo said.
“APC should avoid such a development, or we can vote for any governorship candidate from any political party.”
Despite their grievances, Jalo stressed that the governor’s supporters remain committed to supporting Tinubu’s re-election bid, but may reject any governorship candidate perceived as imposed by the party’s national leadership.
Governor Fintiri, who formally joined the APC on March 3, 2026, said his defection was driven by political survival and the need to support the continuation of power in southern Nigeria.
“I have been a central player in my former party, the PDP. I have not seen any candidate declare interest, and I cannot remain and jeopardize my political future,” Fintiri said.
“A northerner has no business vying for the presidency at the moment. It is the turn of the South.”