Atiku, Ribadu won't determine Fintiri's successor, says Vunobolki

Adamawa State governorship aspirant Dr. Maurice Vunobolki, a development economist and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart, has declared war on the notion that his party's leadership or external influencers will determine his successor. Vunobolki's words are evidence of the resilience of Adamawa voters, who have consistently resisted the whims of political godfathers. For him, the stakes are personal as well as political: as a former APC member who defected to the PDP, Vunobolki is well aware that the Adamawa electorate has a history of rebelling against imposed candidates.

Vunobolki's assertion that the PDP remains well-positioned to retain power in Adamawa State in 2027 may seem counterintuitive, given the expected involvement of influential figures like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and NSA Nuhu Ribadu. However, the numbers suggest otherwise. In the 2019 governorship election, Fintiri, the incumbent, defied the odds to win, despite opposition from sections of the political elite. In fact, Fintiri's electoral victory, which saw him defeat incumbent governor Bindow Jibrilla, demonstrates that the people of Adamawa ultimately determine who governs them. A closer look at the 2019 results reveals that Fintiri polled 1,070,004 votes, while Bindow secured 733,509. This margin of victory, coupled with the fact that Fintiri's win was largely seen as a rejection of the APC's perceived influence in the state, suggests that Adamawa voters are increasingly resistant to external manipulation.

Vunobolki's words on Adamawa voters' resistance to political godfatherism are evidence of the state's history of independent decision-making. In 2019, Fintiri's victory, despite opposition from the APC's Jibrilla, sent a clear message that the people of Adamawa would no longer be dictated to by external forces. This independence is a result of the state's unique history, which has seen successive governments and external influencers attempt to impose their will on the electorate. Vunobolki's own experience within the APC, where he was denied a senatorial ticket despite purchasing nomination forms and campaigning extensively, is a stark reminder of the party's tendency to impose candidates. This, coupled with the PDP's internal disagreements over candidate imposition, has led Vunobolki to conclude that Adamawa voters will once again decide the outcome of the 2027 governorship election based on the candidates' credentials and performance.

While the involvement of Atiku and Ribadu may seem significant, Vunobolki is adamant that the influence of these external figures will not sway the electorate. In fact, the fact that Atiku is expected to feature in the 2027 presidential race, while Ribadu may support the APC governorship candidate, will only serve to strengthen the PDP's position in Adamawa. With the Adamawa electorate increasingly resistant to external manipulation, the likelihood of Atiku's or Ribadu's influence determining the outcome of the 2027 governorship election is slim. As Vunobolki aptly puts it, "Adamawa is not governed by godfatherism."

Adamawa voters have consistently demonstrated their ability to resist external manipulation, and Vunobolki's assertion that they will once again decide the outcome of the 2027 governorship election is evidence of this resilience. With the PDP well-positioned to retain power in the state, the influence of Atiku and Ribadu may prove to be a mere distraction. As the 2027 governorship election approaches, one thing is clear: Adamawa voters will not be dictated to by external forces. They will decide the outcome of the election based on the candidates' credentials and performance, and not on the whims of political godfathers.

The Adamawa electorate's increasing resistance to external manipulation is a significant development in Nigeria's political landscape. As the country inches closer to the 2027 governorship election, the stakes are high for parties and candidates seeking to win the hearts and minds of Adamawa voters. With Vunobolki's words serving as a clarion call to the PDP and other parties, it remains to be seen how the Adamawa electorate will respond to the expected involvement of influential figures like Atiku and Ribadu.