Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, has said that political power will return to the North after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu completes his second term in office.

He advised Northerners aspiring to the presidency to wait until 2031, stressing that the principle of rotation between the North and South must be respected.

Speaking during an interview on TVC, Bago assured President Tinubu of Niger State’s unwavering loyalty, insisting there are no dissenting voices in the state.

He maintained that the arrangement of eight years for the North and eight years for the South remains the foundation of Nigeria’s political stability.

“When he (the President) finishes his eight years, power will come to the North, and Northerners who want to contest can then contest,” Bago said.

He criticised those demanding an early return of power to the North, describing such calls as unfair to the current administration.

The governor also addressed criticisms over his administration’s financial policies, particularly concerns about loans. Speaking to stakeholders from Tafa, Gurara, and Suleja LGAs on August 11, 2025, he dismissed debates around his borrowing plans, insisting it was not the public’s concern. He declared in Hausa that even if he had to “sell the state” to fund development projects, it should not matter.

Bago assured residents that his government would leave Niger State debt-free by the end of his tenure, pledging to provide a clear account of what he inherited and what he would hand over after eight years. He also questioned why citizens were anxious about loans when, according to him, previous administrations had borrowed heavily without accountability.

On infrastructure, Bago defended his administration, saying current challenges with schools, hospitals, and roads were inherited. He rejected claims that his government had worsened the situation, insisting his focus is on repairing existing damage.